MANAGEMENT OF TRANSNATIONAL COMMONS - COORDINATION, PUBLICNESS, AND TREATY FORMATION

This paper focuses on the formation of treaties to manage transnationa l commons when efforts must be coordinated among a minimal-sized group so as to make cooperation worthwhile. By focusing on mixed-strategy e quilibria, we are concerned with instances where the intentions of oth ers are uncertain. The number of required participants, the pattern of payoffs, transaction costs, and the underlying technology of public s upply aggregation are key factors behind the achievement of coordinati on. We apply our analysis to explain the outcome of negotiations on st ratospheric ozone depletion, global warming, acid rain, and tropical d eforestation.