Comments on: Land Expropriation – Bring It On!

By: whatinsectareyou

whatinsectareyou — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 15:30:45 +0000

An important factor in this is the long term, multi-generational benefits that come with home ownership (and presumably land ownership), in terms of health, education, income, accumulation of wealth, prospects for kids, etc (Google for it). People who own land and houses, and their children, are simply better off. On the practical side, nowadays there are a LOT more people and less land (as much land is already degraded from unsustainable farming methods among other things).The challenge is how to provide the needs of all (food and otherwise), with the resources we have, and without destroying what is left of natural ecosystems. The expectations of the rich for further enrichment will possibly need to come down a bit, while the ambitions of the poor and their right for a dignified, livable life need to be supported. Let’s hope there is enough humanity in humanity to get there, and that the politicians play along.

By: Steuart

Steuart — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 10:00:23 +0000

True :), but if you undermine it for some, you undermine it for everyone and you promote ‘otherness’

By: Justin Foxton

Justin Foxton — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 15:01:05 +0000

In reply to Steuart. I think this is a fair point...within the context of a country that is still vastly more open and fair for some than it is for others.

By: Steuart

Steuart — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 12:16:49 +0000

I entirely agree that our perceptions may differ on this issue, so much has been written about what land means to the different cultural groupings in this country, and how we “just can’t see this thing”. But there is a fundamental issue and that is that open and free societies are built on property rights, freedom of expression and the rule of law. I don’t think land reform or EWC or what ever you want to call it has anything to do with giving who ever deserves it – access to land, I see it as a fundamental erosion (‘xuse pun)of one of the pillars of a free and open society. Once the state gets its grubby fingers into the allocation of land at the expense of an open and free process the wedge will only get thicker, my sense is that’s exactly what the state is trying to do, and in particular those in government who ideologically oppose the notion of an open and free society

By: Justin Foxton

Justin Foxton — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 15:57:59 +0000

In reply to Steuart Pennington. Thanks for the comment Steu. In this case you have missed my point (which is ironically the exact point i was making... that us whities just cant see this thing me included) which is simply to say that whatever you may wish to call it I am learning that this isnt so much an econmic issue. Until we name it properly (and that isn't redistribution v reform) we won't deal with it properly.

By: Steuart Pennington

Steuart Pennington — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 15:23:56 +0000

Justin, there is a significant difference between land perform and expropriation without compensation. The first has to do with an orderly logical process governed by the rule of law; the second a chaotic process governed by endless court cases. One example, in any land transaction whether urban, rural or agricultural the land comprises 10% of the value, 90% is comprised of improvements to the land, usually accompanied by a large debt to the bank. It is ludicrous to think these improvements can be expropriated without compensation. I think it important to move away from the emotional component of this debate, we need to understand the intricacies of what is actually involved before we shout “bring it on”

By: Justin Foxton

Justin Foxton — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 13:31:44 +0000

In reply to Thomas Holtz. It is a huge question and I think the right one. And imagine the possibilities in a country like ours if we were all brave enough to ask it...things would change fast.

By: Justin Foxton

Justin Foxton — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 13:29:07 +0000

In reply to Nina. We have got our way for so long and now that it looks like we might lose something we get scared and protectionist. We may need to hold less tight to our whiteness our "rightness" and our stuff.

By: Thomas Holtz

Thomas Holtz — Sat, 04 Aug 2018 06:42:35 +0000

A nice start of the dialogue that needs to take place. I think you are right in saying it is more than just the commercial principle of taking on a title deed. The whole concept of ownership and the psychological implication it has on us as humans is significant. Speaking from the perspective of someone who has more than enough I have to question whether my own journey is to re-establish my relationship to material wealth, particularly when it comes to land?

By: Nina

Nina — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 16:15:12 +0000

Well said. If we really want equality and a better life for all, are we willing to sacrifice something so that it can happen?