Space Resources, Common Property, and the Collective Action Problem

17 Pages Posted: 5 Nov 2007

See all articles by Glenn Harlan Reynolds

Glenn Harlan Reynolds

University of Tennessee College of Law

Robert P. Merges

University of California, Berkeley - School of Law

Abstract

The subjects of lunar mining, asteroidal resource extraction, and orbital solar power are again attracting considerable attention, leading to more discussion of space property rights regimes. This article discusses both private-property regimes and centralized regulatory regimes of the sort envisioned by the 1979 Moon Treaty, and also notes that private property regimes may actually be both more productive of wealth and more beneficial for the space environment than centralized regulatory schemes.

Keywords: space law, property, moon treaty, collective action, Reynolds, Merges

Suggested Citation

Reynolds, Glenn Harlan and Merges, Robert P., Space Resources, Common Property, and the Collective Action Problem. NYU Environmental Law Journal, Vol. 6, No. 1, 1997, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1025529

Glenn Harlan Reynolds (Contact Author)

University of Tennessee College of Law ( email )

1505 West Cumberland Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37996-1810
United States
865-974-6744 (Phone)

Robert P. Merges

University of California, Berkeley - School of Law ( email )

215 Boalt Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720-7200
United States
510-643-6199 (Phone)
510-643-6171 (Fax)

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