Famous quote by Garrett Hardin

"The only kind of coercion I recommend is mutual coercion, mutually agreed upon by the majority of the people affected"

About this Quote

In this quote, Garrett Hardin touches upon an intricate dimension of societal governance and ethical decision-making. This expression originates from his prominent work "The Tragedy of the Commons", which explores the obstacles of handling shared resources. Here, Hardin is addressing the requirement for collective action to prevent the overexploitation and eventual depletion of shared resources, a situation where individuals acting in their self-interest can ultimately harm the community.

The phrase "shared coercion, equally concurred upon by the bulk of the people affected" records the essence of a democracy-driven approach to implement guidelines and limits that benefit the greater good. Hardin recommends that browbeating, generally viewed negatively, can be advantageous if it emerges from a collective arrangement amongst the people it affects. Essentially, he is promoting the concept of self-imposed limitations that are democratically decided upon and accepted by the majority. This form of coercion is not top-down or authoritarian; instead, it is a consensual structure where the community collectively chooses to limit specific freedoms for the sake of the common good.

The concept of "mutual coercion" intends to line up private incentives with the interests of the neighborhood. It acknowledges that without some type of regulatory structure or agreed-upon restraint, individuals might focus on personal gain over common welfare, leading to unfavorable consequences such as resource exhaustion or environmental degradation. Hardin's concept underscores the importance of dialogue, consensus, and participation in decision-making procedures when handling shared resources.

In summary, Hardin supporters for a cooperative method to governance, where the neighborhood comes together to settle on the rules and limitations needed to manage common resources sustainably. This principle remains appropriate in modern discussions on environmental policy, resource management, and the function of governance in stabilizing private liberties with social requirements.

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USA Flag This quote is from Garrett Hardin between April 21, 1915 and September 14, 2003. He/she was a famous Environmentalist from USA. The author also have 28 other quotes.
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