Large-scale land acquisitions and violence in post-war societies. Issue 1 (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kuhn, Annegret
• Is Part Of: Third world thematics. Volume 3:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 98
• Page End: 115
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Large-scale land acquisitions -- land conflict -- post-war violence -- human rights violations -- Cambodia; Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; Globalization -- Periodicals; 338.90091724
• DOI: 10.1080/23802014.2018.1454847
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2379-9978

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Integrating theoretical assumptions from peace and conflict research and insights from development and agricultural studies, the paper scrutinises the specific mechanisms linking large-scale land acquisitions (LSLAs) and different types of violence and crime in post-war societies. The case study of Cambodia is used to demonstrate how the particular mechanisms work and interact. Insights from the paper indicate that, under the given post-war context conditions, LSLAs contribute to the perpetuation and consolidation of an illegal and violence-inducing entanglement of political power and economic interests among agro-investors, state actors and military forces. This nexus can be traced back to the historical legacy of civil war through various mechanisms – notably, the interplay of weak political institutions, widespread corruption and extreme power asymmetries. The legacy of war also continues through the persistence of war economy structures such as illegal logging, which is becoming intertwined with large-scale agricultural investments.