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A comment on Japan's Strict Building Codes Saved Lives. Parent comment

Re:Japan's Strict Building Codes Saved Lives by Retric on Friday March 11, 2011 @11:17PM (#2315970)
It's not just a question of weakly enforced property writes. If you have the nicest shack you are far more likely to be robbed etc.

Social disorder feeds off it's self, when you live in a shanty town and are likely to be robbed it is much more reasonably to spend an extra 5$ on alcohol and get to enjoy it vs invest it in stuff that you might not keep for vary long, do that once a week for 5 years and your talking about 1,300$. Some of the hidden advantages of building codes are allowing people to build nicer houses without standing out from their community.

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Re:Japan's Strict Building Codes Saved Lives by yummyfajitas on Saturday March 12, 2011 @12:32PM (#2317081)
I think we are in violent agreement - by "weakly enforced property rights" I was referring to the fact that you are likely to be robbed of your your house (or perhaps the $500 you saved up when you are halfway done).

The hidden advantage of building codes you describe only applies when everyone can afford that $1000 house.

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