Document Type

Working Paper

Publication Date

2-2024

Revision Date

7-2024

Working Paper Number

2024-02

JEL Codes

Q15, K11

Author's RePEc Short ID

pka1455

Abstract

Economists have long argued that increasing resource scarcity can lead to more clearly defined individual property rights, but the precise mechanism whereby this occurs remains unclear to this day. This paper documents the role of politics in shaping the creation of individual property rights within the context of appropriative water law in early 20th century California, finding evidence of interest group influence in establishing a new system for administering appropriative water rights. It also presents evidence on subsequent irrigation development that is consistent with the influence of irrigating farmers on creation of the new system

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In Copyright

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