It would be an gross understatement to say that I am not a fan of environmentalists. I think that environmentalists are among the most nihilistic human beings who have ever existed. But they have a mantra–think globally and act locally–that is interesting, informative, and worth emulating. In essence, the mantra means: apply a principle to…
Across America, the owners of short-term rental (STR) properties are under attack. Legislators are passing laws to restrict, and in some cases ban, short-term rentals. While the critics make a variety of claims about STRs, two essential principles unite these claims. In this course, you will learn the meaning and nature of property rights, the…
It is understandable that individuals are more passionate about property rights issues that have a direct impact on their lives. For example, rural Texans are more concerned about eminent domain, water rights, and endangered species regulations, and they have little or no concern about historic preservation or tree protection ordinances. Urban Texans are more concerned…
Persuading others to adopt our position on an issue (or move closer to our position) can be a difficult task. Yet, if we wish to successfully defend property rights, we must persuade those who are ambivalent or opposed to our position. We cannot do this through patronizing lectures or divisive claims about our opponents. This …
What is property? What are rights? What does the right to property mean? The answers to these questions are crucial. Our answers will determine our effectiveness in defending property rights. In this course, you will learn the source of property and the nature of rights. You will learn what the right to property entails, and…
For decades, we have witnessed the steady erosion of property rights across the United States. Zoning, eminent domain, business and environmental regulations, and much more are used as tools to slowly chip away at right to property. In this course, you will learn why common methods used to defend property rights are doomed to ultimately…
It is said that politics sometimes makes strange bedfellows. Politicians who seem to oppose one another on virtually every issue can occasionally agree on one particular issue. In this instance, the bedfellows aren’t two opposing politicians, but two politicians and property rights. Democratic representatives Ruben Gallego of Arizona and Beto O’Rourke of Texas recently announced…