To prevent the 'Tragedy of the Commons' for rivalrous goods, what system did ancient Hawaiians utilize?

The kapu system was a traditional set of laws and practices that governed resource use and access in ancient Hawaiian society. This system was designed to manage and protect the environment and its resources, particularly in relation to rivalrous goods, such as fish and agricultural land.

Under the kapu system, certain areas and resources were restricted or designated for specific uses to prevent over-exploitation and ensure sustainability. For example, particular fishing grounds or farming plots would be set aside and protected, allowing populations to regenerate and reducing the risk of depletion. The system enforced stringent rules about when and how resources could be used, with violations often carrying serious consequences, thereby promoting respectful and sustainable interaction with the environment.

In this way, the kapu system effectively mitigated the risks associated with the Tragedy of the Commons, where individual users acting in self-interest could deplete shared resources. By implementing a structured management system based on respect and communal responsibility, ancient Hawaiians were able to maintain harmony and sustainability in their interactions with natural resources.

Other options, while relevant to economic concepts, do not specifically address the traditional practices of resource management utilized by the ancient Hawaiians in the context of rivalrous goods.