Toward a Political Economy of the Commons

‘Toward a Political Economy of the Commons is an excellent volume. The authors have managed the remarkable feat of writing a concise and yet thorough account of one of the most complex problems in political economy. The book offers a great balance between theoretical discussions and in-depth case studies. The book also showcases the great explanatory power of the Ostromian approach to political economy which weaves together property rights economics, polycentric governance, and attention to civil society alongside formal politics.’ – Vlad Tarko, The Independent Review: A Journal of Political Economy‘The cosmopolitan, self-governing, and dynamic vision provided in the book offers the most humane solution to some of society’s most challenging problems.’ – Joshua Ammons, Public Choice‘This book is a unique and masterful attempt to combine an introduction to the problem of the commons with a critical analysis of some of the most relevant and interesting aspects related to their nature, variety of forms, and governance arrangements. The book is made even more remarkable by the fact that, in the analysis, it engages into an exemplary methodical use of the institutional theory and political economy apparatus, within an interdisciplinary setting.’ – Paul Dragos Aligica, University of Bucharest, Romania and George Mason University, US‘This is a superb account of why discussions about sustainability cannot be divorced from an understanding of how alternative institutional arrangements condition the knowledge individuals and communities have about environmental dilemmas and their incentives to address them. Too often, debates about “commons problems” are clouded by analytical confusions and ideological blinders. While this book’s authors have a point of view, their analysis does much to clear the confusion and to allow the sunlight of political economy to shine through.’ – Mark Pennington, King’s College London, UK

Meina Cai is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Connecticut.

Ilia Murtazashvili is an Associate Professor of Public Policy at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh.

Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili is a Professor at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and Founding Director of the Center for Governance and Markets, University of Pittsburgh.

Raufhon Salahodjaev is at Tashkent State University of Economics, Uzbekistan.