Incomplete rural property rights are endemic throughout most of the developing world. This book explores the political origins of this lack of rights and how it negatively impacts rural autonomy and development outcomes such as economic growth, inequality, urbanization, education, and the links between political parties and voters.
Offering a fresh perspective on land reform, this book introduces a new theoretical framework and rigorously tests it with comprehensive original data spanning over a century, starting from 1900. It delves into the historical context and implications of land reform policies, providing valuable insights for scholars and policymakers alike.