Forest-Land Commons in Laos in the Twenty-First Century: Agrarian Capitalism and the 'Non-Commodified Subsistence Guarantee'

Keith Barney, Alexander Van Der Meer Simo

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

    Abstract

    Overthelasttwodecades,abroadallianceofdomesticandinternationalactors in theLaoPDR havedevisedpolicyinterventionsontheissueof‘strengthening customarytenure’.Theaimhasbeentoestablishlegalprotectionsfortherightsof ruralcommunitiestoforest-landcommons, inthecontextofwidespreadenclosure duetolarge-scalelandacquisitions.Securetenurerightswouldbe promoted throughstrengthened participatoryproceduresforlanduseplanning,andthe developmentofformalizationprocedures,withtheultimategoaltowardsthe widespreadregisteringandtitlingofcommunalorcollectiveland.Despitepilot innovations,progresstowardsthis goal hasbeenatbestintermittent. i Atthevillagescale,localprocessesassociatedwiththecommercializationof agriculturecontinuetounfold.TheoutcomesofLaos’agrariantransition includea widespreadenclosureofland both ‘fromabove’(throughstate-corporate land acquisitionsforagribusinessandinfrastructureprojects), andtheprivatizationof land‘frombelow’(throughsmallholderengagementsin boomcrops,andvillage land leasesandsales).Whilecommercialinvestmenthas supported importantlivelihood gainsformanyruralpeople,thiscombinationhasalsoledtoawidespreadsqueeze inenvironmentalcommons acrossLaos.Inthiscontext,theprotectionofrightsto customary villageforest-landcommonsisbothanimportantareaforlandpolicy, andacomplexempiricalissue thatdefiesboilerplatepolicysolutions.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationAt The Crossroads
    Editors Pavin Chachavalpongpun
    Place of PublicationKyoto
    PublisherKyoto University
    Pages121-128
    Edition1
    ISBN (Print)978-4-906332-45-8
    Publication statusPublished - 2021

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