Property rights encourage investment in property because:

• A. they eliminate all risks associated with owning property
• B. they provide individuals with security over the returns from their investments
• C. they require the government to invest in private property
• D. they guarantee that all property will increase in value over time

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of property rights: Property rights refer to the legal rights to possess, use, and dispose of assets or property. These rights define who can use resources and how they can be used.
2. Recognize the role of property rights in investment: When individuals have secure property rights, they are more confident that they will reap the benefits of their investments, such as improvements or maintenance of the property.
3. Analyze the options given: The statement that property rights eliminate all risks is incorrect because risks like market fluctuations or natural disasters still exist. The government investing in private property is unrelated to property rights themselves. Guaranteeing property value increase is unrealistic and not a function of property rights.
4. Focus on the correct explanation: Property rights provide security over the returns from investments, meaning individuals expect to benefit from their efforts and resources put into the property without fear of expropriation or loss of control.
5. Conclude that secure property rights encourage investment by ensuring that individuals can confidently invest, knowing they will receive the returns generated from their investments.