In Canada, conflict between resource companies and aboriginal and
environmental groups is growing exponentially, as development is
pursued in new areas. Battle lines are forming with no solution in
sight. Without a major change in public policy both Canadians and
foreign investors will be forced to take sides in a pyrrhic battle
that no one needs.
Garrett Hardin, in 1968, developed the theory of the "tragedy of the
commons" -- the idea that a shared resource will be depleted by
individuals acting independently and rationally according to their own
self-interest, despite the knowledge that depleting the resource will
not be in the group's best long-term interest. His theory is as
relevant today as it was when he wrote it and offers an intriguing
insight into current resource development in Canada.
The objective of any business, according to Hardin's model, is to make
money. They are guided by Adam Smith's "invisible hand" of supply and
demand and businesses assume that decisions reached individually will
environmental groups is growing exponentially, as development is
pursued in new areas. Battle lines are forming with no solution in
sight. Without a major change in public policy both Canadians and
that no one needs.
Garrett Hardin, in 1968, developed the theory of the "tragedy of the
commons" -- the idea that a shared resource will be depleted by
individuals acting independently and rationally according to their own
self-interest, despite the knowledge that depleting the resource will
not be in the group's best long-term interest. His theory is as
relevant today as it was when he wrote it and offers an intriguing
insight into current resource development in Canada.
The objective of any business, according to Hardin's model, is to make
money. They are guided by Adam Smith's "invisible hand" of supply and
demand and businesses assume that decisions reached individually will
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