Elinor Ostrom

Definition

Elinor Ostrom was an American political economist known for her work on the management of common-pool resources. Her research challenged the conventional wisdom that common resources should be either privatized or regulated by the state, demonstrating that local communities can effectively manage these resources through collective action and self-governance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Elinor Ostrom was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 2009 for her analysis of economic governance, especially in relation to common-pool resources.
2. Ostrom identified key design principles that successful communities utilize to manage their resources sustainably, such as clearly defined boundaries and collective-choice arrangements.
3. Her work emphasized the importance of local knowledge and community involvement in resource management, contrasting with top-down regulatory approaches.
4. Ostrom's research showed that communities often develop their own rules and norms for resource use, which can lead to more effective management compared to state interventions.
5. She authored the influential book 'Governing the Commons,' which laid the groundwork for understanding how diverse groups can manage shared resources without succumbing to the tragedy of the commons.

Review Questions

• How did Elinor Ostrom's research challenge traditional views on the management of common-pool resources?
  • Elinor Ostrom's research challenged traditional views by showing that local communities can effectively manage common-pool resources without resorting to privatization or government regulation. She highlighted the ability of these communities to create their own rules and governance structures, allowing for sustainable use of shared resources. This perspective emphasized the importance of collective action and local knowledge in overcoming resource management issues.
• What are some key design principles identified by Elinor Ostrom for sustainable management of common-pool resources?
  • Some key design principles identified by Elinor Ostrom include clearly defined resource boundaries, collective-choice arrangements that allow users to participate in decision-making, effective monitoring mechanisms, and graduated sanctions for rule violators. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of conflict-resolution mechanisms and recognizing the rights to organize for users. These principles help foster cooperation among users and ensure sustainable resource management.
• Evaluate the implications of Elinor Ostrom's findings on contemporary approaches to ecological security and resource governance.
  • Elinor Ostrom's findings have significant implications for contemporary ecological security and resource governance by promoting a more decentralized approach to managing common resources. Her work suggests that empowering local communities and recognizing their capacity for self-governance can lead to more effective and resilient resource management strategies. This perspective challenges top-down regulatory frameworks and encourages policymakers to support participatory governance models that leverage local knowledge and foster cooperation among stakeholders.

Related terms

Common-Pool Resources: Resources that are accessible to multiple users, such as fisheries, forests, and water supplies, which can be overexploited if not managed properly.

Collective Action: The action taken together by a group of individuals to achieve a common goal, particularly in the context of managing shared resources.

Polycentric Governance: A system of governance that involves multiple overlapping authorities at different scales, allowing for more flexible and adaptive management of resources.