What is the idea behind Garrett Hardin's article entitled "The Tragedy of Commons"? Multiple choice question. Any commonly held resource is inevitably degraded or destroyed because of the narrow self-interest of individuals. Public resources cannot hold their value if more public lands are also opened for use. Towns and cites are more environmentally friendly per capita, but each individual faces more toxins in common areas than in the country. Common resources are most equally shared among all when directed by a centralized government