Permission, Prohibition, and Dynamism

Abstract

Modern, open societies are characterized by growth and dynamism. To many environmentalists, however, it is this very commitment to growth and change that put modern societies at odds with the values of environmental protection. Many argue that the uncertainty that comes from growth endangers the environment, with the implication being that we should adopt general prohibitions rules like the “Precautionary Principle,” which prohibits economic activity unless it can be proven to have no substantial environmental impact. I argue that this conclusion is largely mistaken. Dynamism is so important and in opposition to general prohibition rules that we should avoid them when possible. Instead, I argue that we should favor a general default permission rule. This rule, I argue, is not only more suited to most environmental domains but also compatible with a dynamic capitalist economy, which is crucial for raising standards of living and finding solutions to existing environmental problems.