If you believe the price will go down buy put options. It's what...

If you believe the price will go down buy put options. It's what they are there for. Selling something you don't own is maniupulation.
If short selling was banned you would then have a much more active market to provide that cover. If you believe it will drop but don't own anything use the options and warrrants markets to use your strategy.

I am going to sell a $15 million dollar apartment in Sydney because I think luxury property will flop short term........I dont own it. Can't do it. If you want to sell something own it then you can.