Description
Book SynopsisThis book traces the development of the standard property rights over five kinds of natural resource - inland rivers, ocean fisheries, petroleum resources, gold and base metals and forest resources - from classical times through to the 19th century. Completely private resources and those in the public (or Crown) lands are given equal attention and a simple supply-and-demand model is used to explain how property rights are altered over time. Scott also provides the reader with a unique set of characteristics for defining rights and numerous case studies and examples of their evolution, highlighting the increasing recourse to common law courts and government legislation and the problems caused by competing demands on the same, limited resources. This book provides a unique insight into the historical development of property rights and makes a special plea for the multiple-purpose and multi-owner management of resource rights. It will provide a valuable resource for those interested in resource management, economic history, property rights, and development.
Trade ReviewFull of interesting details and potential research topics. * Roderick Duncan, Economic Record *
Table of ContentsPreface ; 1. Concepts in Resource Property Rights ; PART I RIGHTS OVER WATER-BASED RESOURCES ; 2. Fugacious Resources and Common Property ; 3. Rights over Flowing Water ; 4. Rights over Fisheries and Fish ; PART II RIGHTS OVER MINERAL RESOURCES ; 5. Mineral Disposal and Mining Rights to 1850 ; 6. Free Mining from Medieval Europe to the Gold Rushes ; 7. After the Gold Rush: Alluvial and Hard Rock Mining on Public Land in the New World ; 8. Mineral Disposal and Mining Rights on Private Land ; 9. Rights over Coal, Oil, and Gas ; PART III RIGHTS OVER WOODS-BASED RESOURCES ; 10. Concepts of Forest Property Rights ; 11. Forestry on Public Lands from Medieval to the Modern Era ; 12. Forestry on Private Lands from the Medieval to the Modern Era ; Bibliography ; Table of legal cases
