Author Question: What do we mean by the tyranny of geography? What parts do politics and history play in this ... (Read 13 times)

Bob-Dole · **on:** Jul 21, 2018

What do we mean by the tyranny of geography? What parts do politics and history play in this tyranny?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What is the commons? Why does the concept of the commons mean that governments, instead of private individuals or
companies must take action to manage our natural resources?

What will be an ideal response?

quynhmickitran · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 21, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Natural resources are not allocated evenly around the world. There is no fairness and no rational scheme. People
in the northwestern corner of Washington State have plenty of water, maybe too much. People in the opposite
corner of the same state have too little water. The natural resources that are available to a society, a region, or even
an individual are determined by geography, history, and politics.

Answer to Question 2

The commons refers to natural resources that are owned by the group, but not really owned by any individual
or business: public lakes, oceans, national forests, parks, the atmosphere, and the like. Governments must accept
responsibility for managing the commons because there is no economic or biological incentive for any individual
to do so.