Libertarianism In Action..

[fluffy666]

Some may have noticed that large parts of Russia are on fire.

This is, however, an illusion. Sacking the entire forestry service (a nasty public sector organisation) and simply entrusting private landowners to act in their rational self interest will stop major forest fires happening. Anyone daring to draw attention to the, errm, gigantic, out of control fires is clearly mentally ill.

Things that could never happen.

[R K]

Some may have noticed that large parts of Russia are on fire.

This is, however, an illusion. Sacking the entire forestry service (a nasty public sector organisation) and simply entrusting private landowners to act in their rational self interest will stop major forest fires happening. Anyone daring to draw attention to the, errm, gigantic, out of control fires is clearly mentally ill.

Things that could never happen.

Wheat prices were collapsing rapidly.

Now they're not.

Cui bono?

[matroskin]

Some may have noticed that large parts of Russia are on fire.

This is, however, an illusion. Sacking the entire forestry service (a nasty public sector organisation) and simply entrusting private landowners to act in their rational self interest will stop major forest fires happening. Anyone daring to draw attention to the, errm, gigantic, out of control fires is clearly mentally ill.

Things that could never happen.

This has already happened in 2007 after adoption of new Forest Code

http://taigarescue.org/_v3/files/pdf/201.pdf page 1

Privatisation: The Forest Code allows for a privatisation of forests. The Code links forest ownership to land tenure (viewing the forest ecosystem only as secondary importance)

http://www.forest.ru/eng/legislation/forestcode.html

Article 83. Forest Users' Duties in Use of Forests

In the use of forests, forest users shall have the following duties:

to make use of forest-estate parcels in conformity with RF forest legislation;

to abide by the conditions of the contract of lease of a forest-estate parcel, the contract of gratuitous use of a forest-estate parcel, or the contract of concession of a forest-estate parcel, and also by the conditions of the logging permit, order or forest ticket;

to prevent the infliction of harm on the health of citizens or damage to the natural environment;

to carry on works in ways preventing the erosion of soils, ruling out or limiting the negative impact of the use of the forest estate on the condition and reproduction of forests, and also on the condition of water and other natural objects;

to observe, on the forest-estate parcels made available for their use, the rules of fire safety in forests, to carry out fire-prevention measures in the aforesaid parcels, and to ensure the extinguishing of a forest fire where one occurs;

Now if You remember that Russia has 1/7 of world landmass and 70% of world boreal forests - where do you find so many landowners to take care of all its forests?

Hint:

Russia population density is 8 people per sq km (22 per sq mile). 73% of population is urban.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Russia

[Executive Sadman]

I heard the opposite. People deliberatly setting fire to land and property to gain compensation.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has promised to build new, better homes before winter, and vowed each victim would receive $6,600 in compensation. The sum is huge in a country whose average monthly wage is around $800, and Russian media say some residents may have deliberately torched their dwellings to qualify.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100805/ap_on_re_eu/eu_russia_fires_49

Socialism in action.

Given the natural disasters that occured during the soviet era, not sure id use that particular country as an example against libertarianism.

[matroskin]

I heard the opposite. People deliberatly setting fire to land and property to gain compensation.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has promised to build new, better homes before winter, and vowed each victim would receive $6,600 in compensation. The sum is huge in a country whose average monthly wage is around $800, and Russian media say some residents may have deliberately torched their dwellings to qualify.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100805/ap_on_re_eu/eu_russia_fires_49

Socialism in action.

Given the natural disasters that occured during the soviet era, not sure id use that particular country as an example against libertarianism.

Au contraire.

During Soviet times, one has had to either:

1/ join the waiting list for social housing. 10-15 years on the waiting list were not uncommon. Or

2/ save own money and "buy" a property, usually a flat - built by govt-owned builder. This was called "cooperative" and it was quite affordable on 2x average income, subsidised childcare, subsidised transport, subsidised food, subsidised education, etc. Usually 33-36% deposit was required before works even started.

Help to those affected by natural/man-made disasters was provided in form of free relocation+"social housing", usually far from the place of former residence. People who burned social housing property were usually given same or worse kind of property depending on what's available so there was no incentive to arson. People who "owned" "cooperatives" usually had insurance, if not then they had to start afresh or join a waiting list.

What is available now?

Option 1 - no longer exists except in large cities like Moscow and St Petersburg, mainly for PR reasons

Option 2 - no longer affordable on 2x average incomes because there are no subsidies anymore!

With populist politicos in charge, torching own house in natural disaster area+attracting publicity is the only option available to genuinely poor Russsians to improve their housing needs

[mikthe20]

some residents may have deliberately torched their dwellings to qualify.

I love the law of unintended consequences in the morning!

[Cogs]

Some may have noticed that large parts of Russia are on fire.

This is, however, an illusion. Sacking the entire forestry service (a nasty public sector organisation) and simply entrusting private landowners to act in their rational self interest will stop major forest fires happening. Anyone daring to draw attention to the, errm, gigantic, out of control fires is clearly mentally ill.

Things that could never happen.

That it allegedly still raging is an indication that there is no clear market signal in favour of it being put out and hence, everyone is fine with it continuing to burn. Absolutely nothing to see here, its a complete non-story of concern to nobody.

Edited August 13, 2010 by Cogs

[fluffy666]

That it allegedly still raging is an indication that there is no clear market signal in favour of it being put out and hence, everyone is fine with it continuing to burn. Absolutely nothing to see here, its a complete non-story of concern to nobody.

[Olebrum]

Steady on old chap, you are inviting a libertard attack.