Eli5: I’ve noticed in several TV shows (Yellowstone for example) that people are always trying to take other people’s land. Is that really a common thing out west?

Question

I was watching Outer Range on Prime and same thing. I would assume it has to do with Bureau of Land Management leases? My brother in law has a large farm in the Midwest. Nobody’s is constantly threatening to take his land.

So are the constant attempts at land grabs an actual thing or is it just a plot device for tv? And aside from imminent domain how could a private individual force another to lose their land?

Economics flair for real estate question.

In: Economics

Answer 1

Well you had Range Wars back then. Disputes over land for cattle grazing that would at times become openly violent. Sometimes those weren’t just about land for grazing but also water rights which were pretty important too. Like most things it’s a mix of real life events coupled with elements of personal drama which make it entertaining for us to watch.