Land Power: Who Has It, Who Doesn't, and How That Determines the Fate of Societies

Land Power: Who Has It, Who Doesn't, and How That Determines the Fate of Societies by Michael Albertus

Control of land has historically meant power. Land reform can do wonders for well being and productivity if done right. However things can go horribly wrong (as in the case of collectivization in the USSR and China. There of principles in play from the left and right. People must have control to make decisions for their land and reap the rewards from those decisions.  However, they should also be in a position where they can make decisions that will provide for the long-term benefit of the land. The book explores a number of cases where land reform has succeeded and failed. Bolivia is praised for the gender balance and equity in land distribution. Mexico failed because it was primarily a means for the political party to maintain power. South Africa returned land to blacks. In the process, the white owners were compensated. The black farmers would later need to rely on the previous owner's skills to help farm the land. Did the program benefit anybody? In Canada, land was made available in the prairie for male farmers. This disenfranchises females and even lead to a gender imbalance. Did it also reduce crime by providing a positive outlet and since of responsibility for the males? In Brazil, the desire to provide land has lead to rapid destruction of the Amazon rainforest. 

Land reform is complicated. It can provide significant benefits for society if done right. If done wrong, it can hurt the economy and social structure and cause environmental devastation. There are also challenges involved when multiple groups with different concepts of land ownership lay claim to the land. In places like North America, Africa and Australia, recent European groups have claimed land that was often claimed in common by aboriginal tribes. Is there a good way to right the wrongs done in the past? Is it even possible? The land of today is much different from that of previous times.

The book starts to explore a very complicated topic. The author even dives down into other classifications, such as gender, ethnicity, and class. This opens up many more complications and makes ideal solutions even more challenging. It is also complicated by the urbanization of society. The solutions for land appropriation for farmers are very different than for those in a city. How should land be allocated in our modern society?