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On the political economy of land reforms in the former Soviet Union

Author

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  • Johan F. M. Swinnen

    (Department of Economics and LICOS-Center for Transition Economics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium)

  • Ayo Heinegg

    (Department of Economics and LICOS-Center for Transition Economics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium)

Abstract

This paper provides a set of hypotheses to explain differences in the procedures and progress of land reforms among FSU countries. The first factor is the historical legacy of the countries and their institutions. Demand for land privatization was weak except in countries and regions where collectivization was imposed only after the second World War. Another factor is technology: countries with labor-intensive agricultural systems are characterized by more radical land reforms and decollectivization. The domination of nomadic pastoral grazing systems in Central Asia reinforces the technology factor. The last factor is politics: further political reforms may be needed as a prerequisite for progress in land reforms in the countries lagging far behind in land reforms.
(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

Suggested Citation

  • Johan F. M. Swinnen & Ayo Heinegg, 2002. "On the political economy of land reforms in the former Soviet Union," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 14(7), pages 1019-1031.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:14:y:2002:i:7:p:1019-1031
    DOI: 10.1002/jid.906
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    Cited by:

    1. Hofman, Irna & Visser, Oane, 2014. "Geographies of transition: The political and geographical factors of agrarian change in Tajikistan," IAMO Discussion Papers 199945, Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO).
    2. Scott Rozelle & Johan F.M. Swinnen, 2004. "Success and Failure of Reform: Insights from the Transition of Agriculture," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 42(2), pages 404-456, June.
    3. Shaumanov, M. & Birner, R., 2014. "Dryland Pastoral Systems in Transition: What are the Options für the Institutional Change in Uzbekistan?," Proceedings “Schriften der Gesellschaft für Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften des Landbaues e.V.”, German Association of Agricultural Economists (GEWISOLA), vol. 49, March.
    4. Hofman, Irna & Visser, Oane, 2014. "Geographies of transition: The political and geographical factors of agrarian change in Tajikistan [Geographien der Transformation: Die politischen und geographischen Faktoren der Landreform in Tad," IAMO Discussion Papers 151, Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO).
    5. Junior Davis, 2006. "Rural non-farm livelihoods in transition economies: emerging issues and policies," The Electronic Journal of Agricultural and Development Economics, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, vol. 3(2), pages 180-224.
    6. Rajag M. Nag & Johannes F. Linn & Harinder S. Kohli (ed.), 2016. "Central Asia 2050: Unleashing the Region's Potential," Books, Emerging Markets Forum, edition 1, number centasia2050, May.
    7. Neudert, Regina & Rühs, Michael, 2013. "The Race for Leasing Rights: Pasture Access and Institutional Change During Post-socialist Reforms in Azerbaijan," Institutional Change in Agriculture and Natural Resources Discussion Papers 148489, Humboldt University Berlin, Department of Agricultural Economics.
    8. Pomfret, Richard, 2007. "Distortions to Agricultural Incentives in Kazakhstan," Agricultural Distortions Working Paper Series 48360, World Bank.
    9. repec:zbw:iamodp:199945 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Rozelle, Scott & Swinnen, Johan F.M., 2009. "Political Economy of Agricultural Distortions in Transition Countries of Asia and Europe," Agricultural Distortions Working Paper Series 50298, World Bank.
    11. ROZELLE, Scott & SWINNEN, Johan F.M., 2009. "Why did the communist party reform in China, but not in the Soviet Union? The political economy of agricultural transition," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(2), pages 275-287, June.
    12. Johan Swinnen, & Kristine Van Herck & Liesbet Vranken, 2014. "The Diversity of Land Institutions in Europe," LICOS Discussion Papers 35514, LICOS - Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance, KU Leuven.
    13. Van Landeghem, Bert & Swinnen, Johan F.M. & Vranken, Liesbet, 2008. "Land and Happiness: Land Distribution and Subjective Well-Being in Moldova," 2008 International Congress, August 26-29, 2008, Ghent, Belgium 44375, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    14. Khachaturyan, Marianna & Peterson, E. Wesley F., 2011. "Land Reform and Farm Structure in the Former Soviet Union," Cornhusker Economics 306713, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Department of Agricultural Economics.
    15. Paul Mosley & Daniela Olejarova & Elena Alexeeva, 2004. "Microfinance, social capital formation and political development in Russia and eastern Europe: a pilot study of programmes in Russia, Slovakia and Romania," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 16(3), pages 407-427.
    16. Richard Pomfret, 2016. "Modernizing Agriculture in Central Asia," Global Journal of Emerging Market Economies, Emerging Markets Forum, vol. 8(2), pages 104-125, May.

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