Land is Power

Land Is Power

Tangible. Proven. Undeniable Power.

Land unlocks fortunes. It empowers individuals. It has long been the cornerstone of political and economic power.

At its core, power is what we all seek, though we rarely admit it out loud. Whether economic, political, or social, we crave control over our future and the ability to shape the world around us.

And few assets grant that kind of control like real estate. The world of property has always revolved around power: who controls it, who benefits from it, and who determines what comes next.

A Story as Old as Civilization

Human history is, in large part, is a story of land. Tribes fought over hunting grounds. Kings claimed divine ownership. Wars have been waged. And this has all been done for the right to rule over the earth itself.

That same spirit endures today. A survey by the Cato Institute found that 87% of Americans would rather own their home than rent. Why? Because ownership represents more than shelter, it represents control. Deciding what to do with it, how to improve it, how to benefit from it, and how to pass it on to the next generation.

The English Roots of Ownership

To understand America’s relationship with land, we have to look back to England.

During the land revolution of the 16th century, King Henry VIII faced a problem: wealthy property owners were using trusts to pass land to their heirs tax-free. Determined to collect, the King took them to court, and while he maintained the power of the monarchy, the landowners had a different kind of power…an assemblage of power. Many landowners held seats in the House of Commons, and together they used their collective influence to overturn the court’s ruling, shifting authority from the crown to the landowner.

That was the moment when private property became political power, a defining moment that shaped the very DNA of Western civilization and, later, America itself.

The Birth of American Land Culture

In the New World, the same idea took root. Yet at first, the Pilgrims who crossed the Atlantic in 1620 were destined to be communist.

Their contract with the Plymouth Company required them to work communally for seven years, in which case all profits were to be shared equally. But this system came with increased tension and eventually failed.

As Governor William Bradford later observed, “the hard business of farming for the common good aroused little enthusiasm.” Some worked hard, others barely worked at all, and yet they were treated as equals. This approach was unsustainable. And the failed experiment convinced Governor Bradford, that communal ownership was contrary to human nature.

The colony eventually abandoned communal ownership and embraced private land allotments. The result? Productivity soared. Bradford noted that “it made all hands very industrious.”

From that moment forward, ownership and productivity were tied together: a principle that still defines the American dream today.

Focused Power

But ownership alone isn’t enough. Power must be focused.

Back in 16th-century England, aristocrats bought up monastic lands to profit from the booming wool trade. But when the market collapsed, many found themselves overextended and disinterested in the stewardship of the land.

And as a result, they sold their land, often to the prudent farmer or merchant who had quietly saved and remained focused.

As poet Thomas Tusser wrote:

“When gentles go walking with hawks on their hand,
Good husbands (farmers) with grazing do purchase their land.”

In other words, those who waste time chasing distraction lose their gain to those who stay diligent and focused on the goal.

The True Nature of Ownership

Real ownership is stewardship. We don’t possess the land; we care for it during our time.

It’s only by God’s grace that we have the privilege to work it, improve it, and benefit from it. The power of land, therefore, belongs not only to those who hold the deed, but all the more to those who hold discipline.

Because without focus and stewardship, power slips away.

Next: Land as Capital

In part two of this series, we’ll explore how land evolves from a symbol of power into an economic engine of capital. How ownership, properly harnessed, can unlock generational wealth.