Land Reform in the Time of Neoliberalism: A Many‐Splendored Thing

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8330.2007.00539.x
• Publication Date: 2007-07-13T12:30:11Z
• Authors: Wendy Wolford
• Keywords: Grassroots; Neoliberalism (international relations); Land Reform; Agrarian Reform; Redistribution; Marketization

Abstract: Over the past 20 years, land reform – defined here as redistribution of from large to small properties has emerged an important political issue in Global South. Actors with widely differing ideological perspectives have claimed central their political, social and economic platforms. In this paper, I compare reforms championed under neoliberal auspices World Bank (the so‐called Market Led Agrarian Reforms) those supported by popular grassroots actors such Movement Landless Workers MST) Brazil. argue that although these two approaches are often considered antithetical one another, they share a common theoretical foundation. Both rooted labor theory property attributes fruits one's laborer. Where differ is interpretation “original sin” through which came be misaligned: see state key source land‐related inefficiency while identify market source. analyze case material northeastern Brazil suggest institutionalization (across civil society, region) generated insecurities for new beneficiaries who must protect rights visible evidence productivity.