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Inheritance patterns in migration-prone communities of the Peruvian Highlands

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  • Goetghebuer, Tatiana
  • Platteau, Jean-Philippe

Abstract

On the basis of detailed information on inheritance practices collected in the course of an in-depth survey of three Andean communities of Peru, and unlike most empirical studies which rely on remittance functions, we have been able to estimate an inheritance function with a view to identifying the main factors associated with particular patterns of land bequests. A central result is that the positive relationship between caring and a favourable access to land bequest indeed exists, yet is only observed for migrant children (whether urban or rural, long-distance or short-distance migrants). Combined with other findings and observations, this result strengthens the case for an interpretation based on an active role of potential heirs in the determination of inheritance outcomes. It therefore calls into question the strategic bequest theory which presumes that parents are the ultimate decision-makers in this matter. In addition, our study shows that inheritance patterns are complex: besides migration and caring behavior, personal characteristics of potential heirs, such as gender, birth order, and family status (having children or not), do appear to influence division of parental land.

Suggested Citation

  • Goetghebuer, Tatiana & Platteau, Jean-Philippe, 2010. "Inheritance patterns in migration-prone communities of the Peruvian Highlands," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 93(1), pages 71-87, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:93:y:2010:i:1:p:71-87
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    4. Anne Michels, 2011. "Migration and Inheritance Practices in the Bolivian Altiplano," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2011-038, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
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    6. Michels, Anne & Platteau, Jean-Philippe, 2024. "How can migration unequalize inheritance: Theory and insights from Bolivia," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 52(1), pages 28-53.
    7. Lennox, Erin & Gowdy, John, 2014. "Ecosystem governance in a highland village in Peru: Facing the challenges of globalization and climate change," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 10(C), pages 155-163.
    8. Klaus Deininger & Songqing Jin & Hari K. Nagarajan & Fang Xia, 2019. "Inheritance Law Reform, Empowerment, and Human Capital Accumulation: Second-Generation Effects from India," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(12), pages 2549-2571, December.
    9. Braaten, Ragnhild Haugli, 2014. "Land Rights and Community Cooperation," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 127-141.
    10. Eliana La Ferrara & Annamaria Milazzo, 2017. "Customary Norms, Inheritance, and Human Capital: Evidence from a Reform of the Matrilineal System in Ghana," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 9(4), pages 166-185, October.
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