Current Land Policy In Latin America

Co-published by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

Summarizes and synthesizes the land reform programs in Latin America over the past 30 years. Considers the political, social, economic, and institutional aspects, and the outcomes, in light of current and future land reform. Paper edition (unseen), $9.95. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

This is the second volume of a series on current processes of land tenure change in Latin America. It aims at clarifying the relationship between land and sustainable livelihood in various countries: Mexico, Nicaragua, Chile, Bolivia and Peru. The first volume "Current land policy in Latin America" describes the shift away from the redistributive policies. This volume analyzes in detail the implications of changing land tenure regimes for land use (agricultural production, environmental sustainability) and the income generating capacity of farmers (is greater access to land still a way out of poverty?). Also the consequences for the non-material aspects of life (e.g., prestige, identity, social relations, etc.) are included. By focusing on the goals and priorities of rural households, rather than on policy goals, an attempt is made to provide an insider's view of rural life. Irrespective of whether policy makers aim at liberalizing land markets or other goals, farmers respond in their own way to the changing situation. Land is a necessary element of life, even in those cases where it no longer plays a crucial role in terms of income generation. Given the current changes in rural life (farmers are having to cope with multifunctional, and often transnational, spaces, as well as neo-liberal production environments and neo-liberal land policy), it is time to make a conceptual update of the land issue. This volume will inspire policy makers to formulate a new land policy, one that does greater justice to the diversity and dynamics of rural life, and make them more aware of the multifunctionality of land and livelihood.