Common-Property Arrangements and Scarce Resources : Water in the American West

It is widely held that private ownership is the preferred end state for all scarce resources. Those who hold this view have not looked closely enough at water in the American West, Barbanell contends. Because of water's special attributes, private ownership is an ineffective means for protecting individuals interests. Splitting the various rights of ownership between individual resources users and the community to which they belong can better protect those interests. Barbanell develops a conception of this form of common ownership, a common-property arrangement, and shows that it can function effectively for water in the West. More generally, he offers an expanded framework for analyzing right relationships and examining problems related to resource scarcity. Some economists argue that John Locke's account of property justifies the private ownership of water in the West. Barbanell argues, however, that because Locke did not think carefully enough about the variable nature of resources, his account does not support that conclusion. Although economists recognize that private ownership may not be perfectly suited to all resources, they are nonetheless skeptical about common ownership alternatives. Barbanell shows that this skepticism is unwarranted. When the rights relationship among members of a resource community is based on mutual expectations of reciprocal behavior, then a common-property arrangement can function effectively to control the degradation and depletion of a scarce resource. Barbanell's argument that common ownership is a conceptually sound and politically viable alternative for water will be of particular interest to public policy makers, environmentalists, resource economists, and political philosophers.

it Is Widely Held That Private Ownership Is The Preferred End State For All Scarce Resources. Those Who Hold This View Have Not Looked Closely Enough At Water In The American West, Barbanell Contends. Because Of Water's Special Attributes, Private Ownership Is An Ineffective Means For Protecting Individuals Interests. Splitting The Various Rights Of Ownership Between Individual Resources Users And The Community To Which They Belong Can Better Protect Those Interests. Barbanell Develops A Conception Of This Form Of Common Ownership, A Common-property Arrangement, And Shows That It Can Function Effectively For Water In The West. More Generally, He Offers An Expanded Framework For Analyzing Right Relationships And Examining Problems Related To Resource Scarcity.

some Economists Argue That John Locke's Account Of Property Justifies The Private Ownership Of Water In The West. Barbanell Argues, However, That Because Locke Did Not Think Carefully Enough About The Variable Nature Of Resources, His Account Does Not Support That Conclusion. Although Economists Recognize That Private Ownership May Not Be Perfectly Suited To All Resources, They Are Nonetheless Skeptical About Common Ownership Alternatives. Barbanell Shows That This Skepticism Is Unwarranted. When The Rights Relationship Among Members Of A Resource Community Is Based On Mutual Expectations Of Reciprocal Behavior, Then A Common-property Arrangement Can Function Effectively To Control The Degradation And Depletion Of A Scarce Resource. Barbanell's Argument That Common Ownership Is A Conceptually Sound And Politically Viable Alternative For Water Will Be Of Particular Interest To Public Policy Makers, Environmentalists, Resource Economists, And Political Philosophers.

Annotation. Different kinds of resources require different property regimes. This is the central thesis of Barbanell's indepth analysis of the factual and philosophical issues surrounding water resources and water use in the American West. He argues that a regime of common ownership is a conceptually sound and politically viable alternative for this critically scarce resource Taking Scarcity Seriously..............1 Water Rights Doctrines East and West..............23 The Structure of Property Rights and the Nature of Resources..............53 Lockes Account of Property..............81 Economics and Property Rights..............109 Eventually, in every society, some important resource becomes scarce enough that questions about how and by whom it should be used become central to debates about social justice and public policy. Annotation Analyzes the factual and philosophical issues surrounding water resources and use in the American West