Often, when a regulation or law is proposed, the would-be victims argue that their property rights would be violated if the regulation is enacted. While this is far too often true, it just as frequently falls on deaf ears. And the reason is quite simple: Most people think that property rights are not sacrosanct. They…
The very nature of zoning makes it a magnet for controversy and divisiveness. The latest example has erupted in College Station, where some homeowners want more restrictive land-use regulations to combat gentrification and the growth of student housing. But other homeowners don’t want the restrictions. The dispute is pitting neighbor against neighbor. This is an…
Alex Epstein, who describes himself as a practical philosopher, recently announced The Human Flourishing Project. Epstein started the “project to tackle the problem I care about most: human beings lack reliable access to the knowledge we need to flourish.” In his introductory podcast, Epstein notes that, despite the material abundance in the world today, there…
In recent years, Texas cities (as well as those across the nation) have embarked on a campaign of “local control.” Companies like Uber and Airbnb have upset the traditional regulatory environment. Adding to the mix are energetic citizens calling for bans on plastic bags, regulations on trees, and protection for historic buildings. Local governments are…
In “honor” of May Day, the socialist holiday celebrating the destruction of property rights, I offer Chapter 1 of Principles and Property Rights for free. Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can, No need for greed or hunger, A brotherhood of man, Imagine all the people sharing all the world. John Lennon, “Imagine” We…
The former mayor of Anaheim, California, Curt Pringle, has an inspiring story about how his city was able to redevelop a large area without using eminent domain. He insisted that property rights would be protected, or redevelopment would not occur. “Freedom” quickly became the motto of my administration. In fact, our local paper, the Orange…
With the exception of those who have taken a vow of poverty, human beings desire “stuff.” We want more than the basic necessities that life requires. We want a safe place to live and dependable transportation. We want to attend concerts, movies, and sporting events. We want gadgets, such as smart phones, computers, and flat…
Henry George was an American journalist and political economist. His book Progress and Poverty (1879) was one of the best selling books of its time. While he was considered an advocate of free trade (he opposed tariffs), George was a staunch opponent of property rights. In Progress and Poverty, George argued that labor is the…
Without property rights, human flourishing is impossible. Without property rights, starvation and misery are the inevitable results. Consider Venezuela as a stark example. In the 1990s, Venezuela was the wealthiest country in Latin America. Today, millions are starving, electricity and water are rationed, and the nation’s hospitals lack basic supplies. Inflation is nearly 2,000 percent…
The Texas Institute for Property Rights is dedicated to providing research and consulting for businesses, organizations, and legislators interested in defending one of our most precious rights–the freedom to create, use, keep, trade and dispose of values. Without property rights, we cannot create and enjoy the values that make individual flourishing possible. The institute’s research…