>>102
Okay, I guess you haven't experienced a co-op or collective.
No-one has "absolute claim" , that wouldn't make any sense. Ownership is held collectively.
So: watermill: A and B (and whoever else is in that community) discuss the idea. B presents hi points, A presents her points. At some point it is decided whether this mill would be beneficial to all. Long discussions ensue. Eventually, some kind of agreement is reached. Perhaps the mill is placed around the bend from B's house. Perhaps the mill is made is such a way that B is pleased enough by the aesthetic to offset his feelings about the "virgin river"... Or perhaps B offers to do the extra work to grind the grain in a different way (windmill, perhaps?), in order to "save " the river.
It is possible to reach decisions by consensus: in which no decision is made until everyone agrees on something. Compromises are reached, minds are changed... definitely not a quick process, but worthwhile. Surprisingly, it IS possible for everyone to be satisfied, maybe not thrilled, but content, with the outcome.
This is happening all the time, all around the world, and presents, in my mind, a much better alternative for public space.