Michael is right. In the case of Canadian water, we can control usage through community controls which are determined through a political process, not a 'free' market (though the controls may also include prices.) However, as many of us fear, NAFTA may be utilized to force Canada to give up controls and commodify water; i.e. common property will be converted into private property and Canada will lose control of its water utilization. To answer Ken, I do believe there is a very good chance that NAFTA could be used to do this. I am almost certain that the MAI would have made protection of the Canadian water supply impossible. But then I have always argued that NAFTA and the MAI had little to do with free trade but a lot to do with the expropriation by multinational capital of public property rights. Paul Paul Phillips, Economics, University of Manitoba Michael wrote: > Hardin's story is a myth. In truth, the communities that he describes had > customs and institutions that kept the amount of livestock in check. But after > the land became privatized all hell broke loose. > > Brad might be correct about his understanding of the wells, but I want to > correct his historical allusion (illusion) about the tragedy of the commons. > -- > > Michael Perelman > Economics Department > California State University > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Chico, CA 95929 > 530-898-5321 > fax 530-898-5901 > >
