Failure to distinguish land from capital is an enormous possible pitfall for those trying to fight poverty. Land titles, and all other types of access rights t

Failure to distinguish land from capital is an enormous possible pitfall for those trying to fight poverty. Land titles, and all other types of access rights to natural opportunities, are means by which "rent-seeking" occurs. Rent=seeking is any type of of zero-sum extractive activity that adds nothing to the economy, and simply serves to make the rich richer. Examples include: holding a prime piece of real estate idle, while waiting for others to add value to that land. Or acquiring a patent just to sue anyone who unknowingly violates it. Or manipulating the rules to your favor through lobbying. Productive activity, however, must be rewarded since that is the engine of wealth. We can't have a high standard of living if production isn't rewarded. Solving inequality by making everyone poor is not going to get you very far. This distinction is essential.