Social Contract and Common Pool Resources

This set of flashcards covers key concepts from the lecture on the social contract, common pool resources, and the challenges of irrigation in Nepal.

What is a major reason for government intervention in building irrigation canals in Nepal?

The presumption of the inability of the private sector to provide Common Pool Resources (CPRs) due to individuals' lack of cooperative behavior and temptations to free ride.

Why do farmer-managed irrigation systems in Nepal perform better than state-managed ones?

Farmers often achieve higher performance than high-tech state systems due to better local management and community involvement.

What are the two characteristics of Common Pool Resources (CPRs)?

1. Difficult to exclude users from benefiting; 2. Usage by one individual decreases availability for others (rivalrous).

What social dilemma arises when farmers consider maintaining an irrigation system?

The Social (Prisoner's) Dilemma, where individual rational choices lead to collective inaction and worse outcomes for everyone.

What is the concept of free riding in relation to public goods?

It refers to the tendency of individuals to benefit from resources without contributing to their maintenance or costs.

What illustrates the problem of asymmetry in political conflict among farmers?

Rich farmers upstream may have different concerns than poorer farmers downstream, leading to unequal resource management and access.

What three difficulties must be addressed to tackle environmental crises related to CPRs according to Ostrom?

1. Free riding; 2. Externalities; 3. Political conflicts.

In Hobbes' Social Contract Theory, what is a rationale for individuals to form a state?

Individuals realize they face problems only a government or state can solve, leading them to surrender some freedoms for security.

What are the three pillars of the Social Contract as proposed by Hobbes?

1. Order; 2. Liberty; 3. Public good.

What are the two possible solutions to the environmental crisis according to the old social contract?

1. Market solutions; 2. State solutions.

What is the concept of grasshopper capitalism?

The idea that individuals or businesses may exploit resources for profit without regard for sustainability, moving on after depletion.

What issue do state bureaucracies face in managing natural resources according to the lecture notes?

A lack of local knowledge results in poor understanding of the specific needs and conditions of local farmers.

What is the significance of joint consultation among farmers in Nepal?

It promotes collective decision-making and builds trust, helping to overcome the challenges of resource management.

How does trust influence cooperation among individuals in managing CPRs?

When individuals trust each other, they are more likely to cooperate, leading to better collective outcomes.

What are some problems that arise in managing global commons?

Cultural diversity, scaling up issues, and the complexity of interlinked CPRs make it difficult to find shared interests.

What do the contours of a new social contract suggest for addressing climate change?

Combining international agreements and local autonomy through radical democratization to engage citizens and address their problems.