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Imachi Nkwu: Trade and the Commons

Author

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  • Fenske, James

Abstract

The conventional view is that an increase in the value of a natural resource can lead to private property over it. Many Igbo groups in Nigeria, however, curtailed private rights over palm trees in response to the palm produce trade of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. I use the Ostrom (2007, 2009) framework for analyzing social-ecological systems to guide the construction of a model of this transition. An increase in the resource price leads the owner to prefer communal harvesting, which simplifies monitoring against theft. I support this framework with evidence from colonial court records. “Palm cutting always cause palaver.” Obuba of Ububa, Nkwo Udara Civil Suit 111/37

Suggested Citation

  • Fenske, James, 2014. "Imachi Nkwu: Trade and the Commons," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 74(1), pages 39-68, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jechis:v:74:y:2014:i:01:p:39-68_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Olurotimi O. Soneye, 2023. "Crop appropriation, labour supply, and demand for farm inputs: Evidence from Nigeria," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 35(6), pages 995-1012, August.
    2. Larry Karp & Armon Rezai, 2022. "Trade and Resource Sustainability with Asset Markets," Dynamic Games and Applications, Springer, vol. 12(3), pages 929-953, September.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • N57 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries - - - Africa; Oceania
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General

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