The Not So Wild, Wild West: Property Rights on the Frontier (Stanford Economics & Finance)

Mention of the American West usually evokes images of rough and tumble cowboys, ranchers, and outlaws. In contrast, __The__ Not __So Wild, Wild West__ casts America's frontier history in a new framework that emphasizes the creation of institutions, both formal and informal, that facilitated cooperation rather than conflict. Rather than describing the frontier as a place where heroes met villains, this book argues that everyday people helped carve out legal institutions that tamed the West. The authors emphasize that ownership of resources evolves as those resources become more valuable or as establishing property rights becomes less costly. Rules evolving at the local level will be more effective because local people have a greater stake in the outcome. This theory is brought to life in the colorful history of Indians, fur trappers, buffalo hunters, cattle drovers, homesteaders, and miners. The book concludes with a chapter that takes lessons from the American frontier and applies them to our modern "frontiers"—the environment, developing countries, and space exploration. Mention Of The American West Usually Evokes Images Of Rough And Tumble Cowboys, Ranchers, And Outlaws. In Contrast, The Not So Wild, Wild West Casts America's Frontier History In A New Framework That Emphasizes The Creation Of Institutions, Both Formal And Informal, That Facilitated Cooperation Rather Than Conflict. Rather Than Describing The Frontier As A Place Where Heroes Met Villains, This Book Argues That Everyday People Helped Carve Out Legal Institutions That Tamed The West.. The Authors Emphasize That Ownership Of Resources Evolves As Those Resources Become More Valuable Or As Establishing Property Rights Becomes Less Costly. Rules Evolving At The Local Level Will Be More Effective Because Local People Have A Greater Stake In The Outcome. This Theory Is Brought To Life In The Colorful History Of Indians, Fur Trappers, Buffalo Hunters, Cattle Drovers, Homesteaders, And Miners. The Book Concludes With A Chapter That Takes Lessons From The American Frontier And Applies Them To Our Modern Frontiers - The Environment, Developing Countries, And Space Exploration.--book Jacket. Heros, Villains, And Real Cowboys -- The Institutions That Tamed The West -- Property Rights In Indian Country -- Might Takes Rights In Indian Country -- Soft Gold : Traders, Trappers, And Hunters -- There's Property Rights In Them Thar Hills -- Wagon Train Governments -- Cowboys And Contracts -- Home On The Range -- Making The Desert Bloom -- New Frontiers. Terry L. Anderson And Peter J. Hill. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 237-250) And Index. Cooperation, not conflict, is emphasized in a study that casts America's frontier history as a place in which local people helped develop the legal framework that tamed the West.