We should first learn from others before we assume the role of teachers to all

Excerpt

This year there is a “triple witching” on the U.S. T legislative horizon-soil conservation, threatened and endangered species, and water quality. But before readers in the U.S. become totally immersed in these machinations, which may in the end produce only tinkering at the margins, we offer in this issue of the Journal an opportunity to look at the larger picture: what are the conservation problems and practices in other parts of the world?

I suggest that as we take that look we do so anew, without the chauvinistic Western attitude of “we know what you need.” Rather, in examining the use or misuse of land and water resources in other countries, we should take the time to understand, reserve judgment long enough to develop respect, and be willing to forego the temptation of applying technological solutions before fully weighing the behavioral and ecological impacts. In short, we should first learn from others before we assume the role of teachers to all.

There is much to be learned. Property rights activists may be shocked to learn of the acceptance in Northern Europe of the concept of usufruct: the legal right to use someone else's …