There are some interesting sections to the book Realizing Property Rights , one of the more unique and fascinating chapters comes not from an NGO or field worker but rather some thoughtful individuals working with some of Switzerland's largest re-insurance companies. chapter with 3 interviews by georg kohler, is a great insite into how big business thinks about these problems.
It is too simplistic and crude a belief that business or business people have narrow interests. Some mistakenly believe business is inherently evil, it isn't in most cases business is benignly self interested, but happens to throw off loads of positive externalities in the form of improved lives via developed markets, stability and capital formation.
The report by the risk management group of Swiss RE's Rolf Tanner isa great read, it highlights the interest the insurance industry has in the creation of private property and how they percieve those properties are secured.
The interview with URS Egger is interesting as well in that it highlights how an NGO for entrepreneurs works on the ground, very telling how a micro VC places bets on people.
The only sad thing about this chapter is its brevity. Wish the book would have had more thought provoking sections like this.
A chapter by Naoko Felder-Kuzu was a fascinating story of how a woman with who's husband ran away leaving her with a single room dirt floored house, 3 children and $20 was able to achieve her dreams via micro-finance. This anecdotal story is the stuff of holywood scripts played out over 12 years of a women's life and brings the real impact of micro-credit and property rights to a powerful human level. Statistics about the amazing impact of legal reform are great, but a human interest piece like this really reminds one about the importance of improving the human condition for all of us and how property rights can do that.
The book Realizing Property Rights has some gems, but could have seriously used tighter editing and thematic co hesiveness. Some of the doors opened, IPR (intellectual property rights), Women's property rights, legal reforms impact and personal tales of change are great areas for further publication and research in this vital area.
The human condition all (6.5) billion of us is improving in Economic terms faster than ever before as measured by global GDP output. The Economist recently highlighted the developing world's GDP is now larger than the developed world in PPP terms annually. Accelerating the Developing worlds' growth through sustainable means and evolution to having ever more enfranchised, property owning participants will have rich rewards for all, in terms of peace, stability and an improved state of the human condition.
