The tragedy of the commons (TOC) was proposed by Garett Hardin in 1968. He believed that when using a common pool resource, such as grazing land, fisheries etc, individuals would act in self-interest. This would lead to unrestrained use and overconsumption of the resource, causing environmental degradation. To prevent such a tragedy from happening, Hardin suggested four strategies – government intervention, community management, education, and morality and ethics.

In Malawi, two of their common pool resources are fertile land and forests. Primarily, community management was used to manage fertile land. In William’s village, the best land suited for tobacco seedlings to sprout were near the shallow wetlands (dambo) where sufficient water and nutrient-rich soils were found. Farmers planted their tobacco seeds there before transplanting the seedlings to their fields. No formal agreement existed yet each farmer had their own small plot of land in that area which they kept to. Such a system was only possible as William lived in a small village which formed a close-knitted community. Everyone also relied on the fertile land for their livelihoods and the village chief could help mitigate any conflict.

For successful management of a common pool resource, there was also a need for good knowledge and understanding of it. Under the ruling of President Banda, farmers had access to fertilizers and seeds were affordable so that everyone could plant and feed their families. Having grown up in Kasungu, he knew how important it was to care for the land for good agricultural output. After President Muluzi succeeded President Banda, government subsidies of fertilizers and seeds were suspended. Being a former businessman, President Muluzi opened the markets of Malawi, allowing formation of tobacco estates by wealthy companies that outcompeted the small-scale farmers.