Beyond the Public Law: A Taxonomy of Approaches to Alternative Governing

Abstract

Among the most problematic realities of living together in groups larger than families and small bands is the problem of how to deal with the “bad neighbor.” In this paper we identify four approaches to bad neighbor problems and suggest that planning decisions can look beyond the traditional regulatory approaches. Zoning law and other prohibitions on human activities may make societies less rich than they could be otherwise. By “rich” we are not primarily concerned with money, but with the richness of human relations. We believe that if public officials told people to solve their problems themselves, most real problems would be solved without the force of regulation.