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The Human Prosperity Project Discussion

Economic Growth: The Path to a Cleaner Environment

How do property rights affect environmentalism?

Responses

Citizens become personally invested in the quality of their own property and given proper laws, are zealous protectors of their own. This attitude spreads amongst the rest of the population leading to better laws and enforcement.

I have to second the previous comment.

Individual and small-to-scale property owners become invested in environmental quality because, in general, what happens to the envrionment happens to them and their property. This encourages them to participate more in the overall political process and local efforts to protect the environment. Though mega-property ownership creates associated political clout that can be used to short circuit the political system to impact environmental regulation for personal gain, ideological reasons, et al. A healthy balance must be maintained, and the needs of ultra-rich oligarchs leavened with middle-class wisdom.

Individual and small-to-mid scale property owners become invested in environmental quality because, in general, what happens to the envrionment happens to them and their property. This encourages them to participate more in the overall political process and local efforts to protect the environment. Though mega-property ownership creates associated political clout that can be used to short circuit the political system to impact environmental regulation for personal gain, ideological reasons, et al. A healthy balance must be maintained, and the needs of ultra-rich oligarchs leavened with middle-class wisdom.

Most citizens have their investments within the houses/homes they live in. The incentive is to ensure the environment around them helps secure these investments and provide interest in the political process and local laws affecting their environment. The notion is that more economic prosperity leads to environmental protection, not less. Understanding the multi-investments centering around a political belief as a guide would help ordinary citizens protect their investments.

The right of private property fosters innovation and thus economic growth. Prosperous countries can develop regulations and laws to protect environment. Poor countries generally lacks this possibility.

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