Cooperative Structures

In this section of the course, the focus has been on cooperation and the social dilemma. The video discusses different approaches to fostering cooperation required to overcome the social dilemma, such as the use of cooperative institutional infrastructure. The tragedy of the Commons is explored, which is characterised by externalities that individuals do not bear themselves but are externalised to the organisation as a whole. Solving the tragedy of the Commons involves reconnecting the costs of individual actions to the whole. The complexity of this issue is highlighted, and the approach depends on the interconnectivity and interdependence between the players. The importance of interdependence as a parameter in cooperation is discussed, as people cooperate more with those to whom they are closely connected.