Measuring America and the Standardization of Land Measures
British journalist Andro Linklater's seminal work, Measuring America, opens a window to the historical narrative of how America transitioned from disparate systems of measurements to standardized units which profoundly influenced land privatization. Through an illuminating account, Linklater provides a lens that not only examines the shift towards uniformity in measurement but reveals the story of commoditization of land that laid the bedrock for modern real estate systems.
From Common Ground to Private Property
The colonization of America initially saw the communal approach to land usage falter, as evidenced by the example of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony. The drive to own land became indivisible from the American identity, creating an industrious spirit as families strove to cultivate individual plots. This psyche of land ownership fervently spread throughout the Virginia Colony and into the hearts of settlers like John Winthrop and dissenters such as Roger Williams, who held contrasting views on Native American land claims.
The Speculator’s Role in American Development
The leap from a society with land as a shared resource to one where land became a prime asset and speculation the norm was significant. As settlement moved westward, framed by notable figures like George Washington, the acquisition, and control of land drove economic growth, political policy, and social hierarchy in the burgeoning United States.
Equality, Development, and the Illusion of Democracy
Linklater suggests a tenuous relationship between land ownership and the fulfillment of democracy’s promise. Small parcel ownership did create a widespread sense of investment in the new nation but resulted in an uneven distribution of wealth. This divergence from Jefferson's ideal vision reveals a complex reality where land speculation co-existed with democratic ideals and, at times, undermined them.
Reflecting on ‘Land to the Tiller’
When examining programs like Taiwan's 'Land to the Tiller', parallels emerge with America’s historical struggles in land distribution. Such reforms attempt to correct imbalances inherent in concentrated land ownership, yet also confront the inevitable commoditization of land—a theme explored in-depth in Linklater's work. Can lessons from America’s path influence modern attempts at land reform and equitable development?
Planning a Journey Through America's Land History
Whisking away to new destinations often offers more than a mere escape—it presents an opportunity to engage with the roots of our surroundings. For those keen to deepen their understanding of America's development from untamed wilderness to a lattice of private properties, traveling across the landscapes described in Linklater's narrative can be both enlightening and transformative. With each hotel stay, guests inadvertently participate in the legacy of private property and the peculiar history of land speculation, mayhap reflecting on what the future could hold for the balance of land rights, democracy, and equitable growth.
Puerto Rico (Gran Canaria)
- Servatur Puerto Azul
- Gloria Palace Amadores Thalasso & Hotel
- Ocean Hill Gran Canaria
- Marina Suites Gran Canaria
- Colina Mar Apartments
- Gloria Palace Royal Hotel & Spa
- Morasol Suites Gran Canaria
- Gran Canaria Puerto Rico
Playa del Ingles (Gran Canaria)
- Hd Parque Cristobal Gran Canaria
- Gran Canaria Princess
- Abora Continental By Lopesan Hotels
- Hl Miraflor Suites
- Labranda Hotel Marieta
- Riu Palace Palmeras
- Sol Barbacan Gran Canaria
- Neptuno Gran Canaria
- Hotel Green Field
- Playa Del Ingles
San Agustin (Gran Canaria)
- Paradisus Gran Canaria
- Abora Interclub Atlantic
- Don Gregory By Dunas
- Gloria Palace San Agustin
- San Agustin Gran Canaria
Maspalomas (Gran Canaria)
- Salobre Hotel Resort & Serenity
- Club Maspalomas Suites & Spa
- Riu Palace Meloneras
- Vistaflor Bungalows
- Holidays In Maspalomas