Ideal type theories and concrete cases in land science: A multi-step appraisal of the evolutionary theory of land rights in Madre de Dios, Peru. (15th December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Perz, Stephen G.; Espin, Johanna; Castillo, Jorge; Chavez, Andrea; Rojas, Rafael O.; Barnes, Grenville
• Is Part Of: Land use policy. Volume 58(2016:15 Dec.)
• Page Start: 9
• Page End: 20
• Publication Date: 2016-12-15
• Subjects: Infrastructure -- Land tenure -- Land use -- Amazon -- Peru; Land use -- Periodicals; Land use -- Government policy -- Periodicals; Sol, Utilisation du -- Périodiques; Sol, Utilisation du -- Politique gouvernementale -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 333.7305
• DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2016.07.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-8377

Abstract

Highlights: The evolutionary theory of land rights (ETLR) posits specific links to land use. We evaluated the ETLR in the southwestern Amazon to determine the fit of the theory. The findings are mixed as to the applicability of the ETLR. Tenure diversity, local geography, and forest extractivism all depart from the ETLR. It is crucial to delineate deviations from theory to promote appropriate land policy. Abstract: The relationships of regional integration, land tenure and land use have all received substantial previous attention. Nonetheless, existing theoretical frameworks tend to presume ideal types of land tenure in understanding the impacts of regional integration on change in institutions and land use. We therefore evaluate the evolutionary theory of land rights (ETLR) for the case of Madre de Dios, Peru. This is a useful case since tenure for agricultural lands is private individual as the ETLR theorizes, but other characteristics, such as the presence of forest extractivism, depart from the assumptions of the ETLR. We pursue a multi-step analysis of key relationships of the ETLR, focusing particularly on the linkages between highway paving as an indicator of regional integration, titling as a measure of tenure formality, multiple indicators of land market engagement, and land uses with diverse ramifications for ecological sustainability. Findings for the different steps partially support the ETLR for the case of Madre de Dios. Disconfirmation however sometimes occurs due to geographic accidents rather than due to truly contrasting findings. We conclude by discussing the need to identify characteristics of empirical cases that do and do not fit the expectations of theories in order to better evaluate the applicability of theory for analysis and policy.