Chapter Four: Social Dilemma

Competitive behavior has often been presented as the ultimate engine of economic, technological, and scientific progress. Since all such progress is likely to imply some measure of social benefit, competition has been widely praised in modern western culture. However, competition can have very negative effects on social wellbeing. An early example is known as the "tragedy of the commons." The commons used to be playgrounds enjoyed by small town communities in seventeenth century England. But when some villagers brought their sheep to graze on the commons a dilemma arose: those who did could raise more sheep and make more money. But if all villagers did, overgrazing would destroy the commons to the detriment of all.