Why the Third Sector Matters

In 1968, Garrett Hardin coined one of the most influential metaphors in environmental and political thought: the “tragedy of the commons.” In an article published in Science, he described a communal pasture where each herder, seeking to maximize individual gain, adds one more animal – until the pasture collapses. For Hardin, the logic of individual interest, when applied to shared resources, inevitably led to collective destruction. His proposed solution? External controls – either government regulation or privatization.

Decades later, Nobel Prize-winning economist Elinor Ostrom offered a compelling response. Drawing on fieldwork in communities across the globe, she demonstrated that commons – such as water sources, forests, irrigation systems, and fisheries – can be successfully managed collectively, provided that strong local institutions, clear rules, and effective mechanisms for monitoring and conflict resolution are in place. Ostrom not only challenged Hardin’s fatalism, but also repositioned communities as legitimate and effective agents of governance.

This debate remains central to understanding the role of third sector organizations in today’s society. In a world marked by environmental crises, unequal access to essential goods, and the emergence of digital commons – such as data, networks, and knowledge – NGOs, collectives, institutes, and foundations act as both stewards and mediators of the commons. They build bridges between expert knowledge and lived experience, between the urgency of action and the ethics of solidarity.

However, the discrediting of collective action and the growing detachment of the private sector from commons-related discussions have damaging consequences. On one hand, they undermine communities’ capacity for self-management and cooperation; on the other, they frame the market solely as an adversary, disregarding its potential for social responsibility.

Effective governance of the commons today demands a mature alignment between the three sectors: government, private enterprise, and civil society. The third sector – with its networked approach, public-interest focus, and grounded presence in local communities – can serve as a catalytic force in fostering this convergence. The tragedy of the commons does not stem from collective use, but from a lack of dialogue, regulation, and education.

Today, we face silent tragedies: polluted rivers and oceans, neglected public spaces, abuse of personal data, and the deterioration of public schools and hospitals. These are not failures of collectivity, but of non-governance. Overcoming them requires recognizing that protecting the commons is not the responsibility of any one sector – it is a shared project for the future. And the third sector is at the heart of that mission.

Paulo Nassar