Reply #78: Then you deplete them

[talkinghead]

Historically, look at situations where land was owned in common, that is, the state owned the land. The land was destroyed. This is illustrated in the tragedy of the commons. When individuals own their own land they have an incentive to preserve it because it is how they profit. I cannot stress it enough, collectively owned resources are depleted much faster than privately owned resources. If an individual does not own his own land, then why should he build a house on it? At any moment the state could take it for a public use. Property rights are a natural right. In a state of nature I have the right to own property, hence, no one can take that right from me, or you for that matter.