Commons boundaries and collective action
- Variable relationship:
Ostrom (1990) and others (Giordano 2003) suggest that when commons are contained within a clearly defined area (Commons Boundaries), this increases the likelihood that groups will self-organize (Collective Action) to successfully manage a resource (Commons Condition Trend).
The presence of boundaries can facilitate successful collective action for a number of reasons. First clear boundaries help users to collect better information about resource conditions, facilitate monitoring and exclusion, and internalize the costs and benefits of management.
- Project
- SESMAD
- Sector(s)
- Scientific Field
- Component Type(s)
- Status
- Public
Variables
| Variable | Role | Role Explanation | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commons boundaries | Proximate independent variable | Clearly understood physical boundaries around the resource generate incentives to support collective action | Clear boundaries |
| Collective action | Intermediate outcome | Clear boundaries generate incentives to support high levels of collective action. | High |
| Commons condition trend | Final outcome | High levels of collective action increase the likelihood that groups successfully manage a resource. | Remined the same or Improved |
Related Theories
| Theory | Relationship | Characterizing Variables |
|---|---|---|
| CBNRM design principles | nested | |
| Collective action and the commons | contains |