What concept is Elinor Ostrom associated with?

• A. The tragedy of the commons in all cases.
• B. The non-tragedy of the commons, where local users manage resources effectively without external control.
• C. The necessity of centralized government for resource allocation.
• D. Market forces always solve resource depletion.

Answer: (B)

Elinor Ostrom showed that communities can effectively manage shared resources without external control. Through many real-world examples, she demonstrated that local users can design and enforce rules, monitor usage, and apply graduated sanctions, allowing the resource to be sustained over time. This work reveals that the tragedy of the commons isn’t inevitable; with appropriate institutional arrangements—clear boundaries, inclusive rulemaking, active monitoring, accessible conflict resolution, and scalable governance for larger resources—local governance can prevent overuse and ensure fair access. It also highlights that neither centralized government nor market forces alone are guaranteed solutions, but that well-crafted local rules can often manage common resources successfully.