Based On What You Have Learned And/Or Know About Fiscal Capa ✓ Solved

Based on what you have learned and/or know about fiscal capac

View the Port of Los Angeles 4-part documentary and read the material in the Owens Valley water website. Simply answer this question: Should the City of Los Angeles exist in its present form when considering its inherent geographic location and natural resources?

Note: it was an arid semi-desert pueblo before 1900.

Paper For Above Instructions

The City of Los Angeles, once an arid semi-desert pueblo before 1900, has transformed over the years into a sprawling metropolis. Understanding the fiscal capacity of a city and the implications of the Tragedy of the Commons theory is crucial in evaluating whether Los Angeles can sustain its current form, especially when considering its geographic location and natural resources. This discussion will explore fiscal capacity and the Tragedy of the Commons framework while assessing the sustainability of Los Angeles.

Fiscal Capacity of Los Angeles

Fiscal capacity refers to a government's ability to generate revenue through taxes and other financial means to provide public services. In the case of Los Angeles, the city's fiscal capacity has been stretched due to rapid population growth, infrastructure demands, and environmental concerns. The city relies heavily on property taxes, sales taxes, and income taxes to fund its initiatives and maintain its services. However, the increasing population poses challenges, as more residents require more infrastructure, transportation, healthcare, and education services.

Moreover, Los Angeles is experiencing a housing crisis, with soaring prices that significantly affect middle and lower-income families. This crisis not only affects the quality of life for its residents but also constrains the city’s fiscal capacity since revenue generation can decline if a significant portion of the population is unable to afford housing. Consequently, the question arises: can Los Angeles maintain its fiscal capacity while expanding its services and infrastructure in the face of these challenges?

Tragedy of the Commons

The Tragedy of the Commons is a concept that describes how individuals, when using shared resources, tend to act in their self-interest, leading to the depletion of those resources. Los Angeles illustrates this phenomenon in several ways, notably in water usage, air quality, and land use. The city has long relied on external water sources, such as the Owens Valley, to sustain its growing population. However, this dependence has led to environmental degradation in the source areas, significantly impacting local ecosystems.

As population growth continues, Los Angeles faces increasing stress on its water supply. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California reported that in 2020, approximately 55% of the water supplied came from the Colorado River and State Water Project (Metropolitan Water District, 2021). This unsustainable extraction raises questions about resource availability, particularly during drought periods. In this context, the Tragedy of the Commons is evident—when citizens prioritize individual water needs over shared community resources, the long-term viability of those resources is jeopardized.

The Impact of Geography and Natural Resources

Los Angeles's geographic location contributes significantly to its challenges. Nestled between mountains and the Pacific Ocean, the city faces constraints in land availability, which complicates urban expansion. The arid climate limits natural water sources, making water sustainability a persistent concern. Efforts to expand water recycling and conservation strategies have been made, but these require substantial investment and community buy-in to alter long-standing consumption habits.

As a region with rich cultural history, transitioning Los Angeles towards sustainability may also impact its social structure. For example, policies that mandate conservation and sustainable practices can lead to pushback from communities accustomed to long-standing practices. Engaging residents in conversations about fiscal capacity and sustainable resource use can help foster a sense of community investment in these issues.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the continued existence of the City of Los Angeles in its present form raises significant questions related to fiscal capacity and the Tragedy of the Commons. While the city has grown tremendously since its origins as a semi-desert pueblo, the challenges it faces in terms of sustainability, resource management, and infrastructure demand attention. Finding ways to enhance fiscal capacity while simultaneously promoting sustainable practices can help ensure that Los Angeles remains a livable city for all its residents. Ultimately, the sustainability of Los Angeles hinges on a balanced consideration of its geographic constraints, resource availability, and the collective will of its citizens to engage in more sustainable practices.

References

  • Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. (2021). Water Supply. Retrieved from https://www.mwdh2o.com
  • Costanza, R., et al. (1997). The value of the world's ecosystem services and natural capital. Nature, 387(6630), 253-260.
  • Hardin, G. (1968). The Tragedy of the Commons. Science, 162(3859), 1243-1248.
  • California Department of Water Resources. (2020). California's Water Future. Retrieved from https://www.water.ca.gov
  • Davis, M. (2010). City of Quartz: Excavating the Future in Los Angeles. Verso Books.
  • Glaeser, E. L. (2011). Triumph of the City. Penguin Press.
  • Gonzalez, A. (2020). Los Angeles Water Use: The Challenge of Increasing Demand. Journal of Urban Water Management, 8(2), 135-145.
  • Katz, B., & Wagner, J. (2019). The Future of Regional Planning in Los Angeles. Brookings Institution Press.
  • Paterson, W. (2019). Urban Sustainability in Los Angeles: Policy Framework and Implementation. Environmental Research Letters, 14(2), 034026.
  • Sierra Club. (2018). Water Crisis in California. Retrieved from https://www.sierraclub.org

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