@ceo_of_monoeye_dating @cinerion I totally get why it's bad for society that someone can buy land and do nothing with it. It's a kind of rent seeking, and I hate rent seeking. But I also believe that, if you own something, you should be allowed to do (or not do) whatever you want with it.

One solution could be that private individuals cannot own land permanently, only lease it from the state. I believe this is China's current system, with typical land leases having durations of 20 to 70 years.

Another topic I feel conflicted on is when the government tries to force someone to sell their land in order to build an airport or railroad. I believe that, if you own something, you shouldn't be forced to sell it. On the other hand, building public infrastructure is usually good for society, and is the person who is being forced to sell really being harmed if the state pays them a multiple of the market value of their property?

Who gets to decide whether a parcel of land is being used "productively"? Should squatters be allowed to stay if they are only helping themselves and not their community?