The Commons in the New Millennium: Challenges and Adaptation (Politics, Science, and the Environment) [Hardcover]

Nives Dolšak (Editor), Elinor Ostrom (Editor), Bonnie J. McKay (Foreword)

Book Description

Series: Politics, Science, and the Environment | Publication Date: February 14, 2003

Globalization, population growth, and resource depletion are drawing increased attention to the importance of common resources such as forests, water resources, and fisheries. It is critical that these resources be governed in an equitable and sustainable way. The Commons in the New Millennium presents cutting-edge research in common property theory and provides an overview and progress report on common property research.The book analyzes new problems that owners, managers, policy makers, and analysts face in managing natural commons. It examines recent findings about the physical characteristics of the commons, their complexity and interconnectedness, and the role of social capital. It also provides empirical studies and suggestions for sustainable development. The topics discussed include the role of financial, political, and social capital in deforestation, community efforts to gain political influence in Indonesia, the Maine lobster industry, outcomes of the implementation of individual transferable quotas in New Zealand and Iceland fisheries, and design of multilateral emissions trading for regional air pollution and global warming.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A useful addition to the literature that will have a wide audience. The issues addressed in this book will be of particular interest to those who study and work with common property resources."--Gary D. Libecap, Professor of Economics and Law, University of Arizona

"As the editors point out, the commons are not a nearly extinct topic, but rather a vitally important one." Randall J. Hannum Natural Resources Forum

"It is hard to imagine a person who would not learn something from examining this book." Forest Reinhardt Environment

About the Author

Nives Dolšak is Assistant Professor in the Master of Arts program in Policy Studies at the University of Washington, Bothell.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 393 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press (February 14, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262042142
• ISBN-13: 978-0262042147
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,158,922 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Often thought provoking, April 3, 2007

By 

Jonathan Teller-Elsberg (Thetford VT (USA)) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Commons in the New Millennium: Challenges and Adaptation (Politics, Science, and the Environment) (Paperback)

Some of the chapters in here are functional--useful for those studying or practicing economics. But there are others that are fascinating even for readers who don't want strictly academic material. Chapter six in particular on the experience of tradable quota fishing in Iceland is one of the best economics papers I've read. Eythorsson manages to keep on top of the shifting economic incentives along with the shifting political power of different elements of Icelandic society to present a full picture of how the quota system has and has not worked. The topic sounds dry enough to cure paint, but I assure you that it's worth reading for anyone interested in a living example of political economy and economic-environmental policy.