Common Property Rights in Swiss Alpine Pastures

Abstract

"The purpose of this paper is, first, to describe common property organisations that exist in Switzerland for the management of alpine pastures and to categorize their main features in familiar property rights language (part B). Second, it is asked why common rather than individual property has developed for many Swiss alpine pastures. The factors analysed here are natural risks, production and transaction costs and the distribution of wealth and economic power (part C). Third, the question of efficient investment levels in common property situations will be addressed (part D)."