Stevenson, Glenn G. - Common Property Economics : A General Theory and Land Use Applications

Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1991. orig.cloth. 24x16cm, xiv,256 pp.. Textual map & illustrations.. Minor rubbing. VG. ¶ Contents: What is common property?; Open access theory; Common property; The Swiss grazing commons; Comparisons with the English open field system; An econometric comparison of commons and private grazing; The structure and performance of common property [Common property economics defines and clarifies the theoretical distinction between open access and common property and empirically tests the adequacy of resource allocation under common property and empirically tests the property in comparison with private property. Group use of natural resources has often received the blame for overexploitation and mismanagement, whether of fisheries, grazing land, oil and gas pools, groundwater, or wildlife. In this book two types of group use are identified: open access and utilization without any controls on extraction rates, a situation in which resource overexploitation often occurs. In contrast, common proterty refers to the situation where the group controls the access to and extraction rates of the resource. The common property solutions differ from those associated with open access. The nonoptimality of open access is demonstrated with graphic, game theoretic, and mathematical models. The necessary and sufficient conditions for common property to overcome the difficulties of open access are examined. Stevenson discusses historical examples, the basis in legal concepts, the contrast with public goods, the formation, and the stability of common property. In a detailed, empirical study of alpine grazing in Switzerland, the author compares the performance of