  This study explores the potential of the cybernetic method of inquiry for the
problem of natural resource governance. The systems way of thinking has already
enabled scientists to gain considerable headway in framing global environmental
challenges. On the other hand, technical solutions to environmental problems
have begun to show significant promise, driven by the advent of technology and
its increased proliferation in coupled human and natural systems. Such settings
lie on the interface of engineering, social and environmental sciences, and as
such, require a common language in order for natural resources to be studied,
managed and ultimately sustained. In this dissertation, we argue that the
systems theoretic tradition of cybernetics may provide the necessary common
ground for examining such systems.
  After discussing the relevance of the cybernetic approach to natural resource
governance, we present a mathematical model of resource consumption, grounded
in social psychological research on consumer behavior. We also provide
interpretations of the model at various levels of abstraction in the social
network of the consuming population. We demonstrate the potential of the model
by examining it in various theoretic frameworks which include dynamical
systems, optimal control theory, game theory and the theory of learning in
games. Each framework yields different policy guidelines to avoid Tragedy of
the Commons like scenarios in the natural resource system.
