An Endogenous Theory of Property Rights

This collection examines property rights across various countries, addressing issues like customary rights and privatization. It challenges traditional views by focusing on the function of institutions rather than their form.

An Endogenous Theory of Property Rights explores the complexities of property rights across various countries, including China, India, Turkey, Mexico, and Malaysia. The collection addresses a range of topics such as customary rights, privatization, mining, pastoralism, and the impacts of dam-building and irrigation. Originally published as a special issue of The Journal of Peasant Studies, the work emphasizes the importance of understanding property rights within different socio-economic contexts.

The book challenges the traditional neo-liberal view that secure and formal property rights are essential for sustained development. It raises critical questions about the effects of removing authoritarian institutions, particularly in the wake of events like the Arab Spring and the Iraq War, which did not lead to the expected increases in market efficiency. In contrast, countries like China and India have experienced significant growth despite the presence of insecure and informal property rights. This paradox invites a deeper examination of the functions of institutions rather than their formal appearances.

By focusing on case studies related to land, the collection extends its analysis to labor, capital, and broader developmental issues. It supports the 'Credibility Thesis,' asserting that once institutions become established, they serve specific functions within society. The book's comprehensive approach includes various modes of production and considers both rural and urban contexts, ultimately providing a nuanced understanding of property rights and their implications for development across diverse settings.