Political reforms, rural crises, and land tenure in western Europe

This paper analyzes the origins and causes of the differences and changes in land tenure institutions over more than a century in several western European countries. The analysis shows that differences and changes in land tenure are caused by a combination of economic, institutional, and political factors, including the French Revolution, changes in agricultural profitability, voting rights reforms, etc. Significant changes in land tenure regulations resulted from the combination of both improved political representation of tenants in parliament and a severe economic crisis increasing the pressure for reforms. Empowerment of small tenants and farm workers and increasing their access to and influence on policy-making appears to be an important pre-condition in order to improve their land tenure rights. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.