This book, essentially an “anarchist history,” is the first-ever examination of the huge literature on state-making whose author evaluates why people would deliberately and reactively remain stateless. Among the strategies employed by the people of Zomia to remain stateless are physical dispersion in rugged terrain; agricultural practices that enhance mobility; pliable ethnic identities; devotion to prophetic, millenarian leaders; and maintenance of a largely oral culture that allows them to reinvent their histories and genealogies as they move between and around states.

The Journal of Lao Studies, Volume 1, Issue 1, pages 1-47. "In this paper I do not argue against farmer livelihood strategies that include either rubber-based or off-farm opportunities. However, the large-scale rubber plantations in Laos are clearly having a massive and rapid impact on landscapes and livelihoods. I want to draw attention specifically to the socio-cultural and economic impacts of the types of rubber development occurring in southern Laos, which I argue are largely benefiting foreign investors and local elites at the expense of most villagers."

The aim of this study is to discuss and analyze key factors that affect the desertification in Pa Deng Sub-district, Thailand, in order to assess the desertification risk of the sites. The MEDALUS Model was used to conduct the desertification risk assessment. The spatial analysis study was done with Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) programs. The key factors that had an impact on the desertification in Pa Deng area are climatic factor, soil factors (soil texture, fertility and erosion) and human activity factor (land use).

As Ministers and representatives of Development Partners meet in Quang Tri province for their bi-annual Consultative Group meeting, “achieving breakthroughs in poverty reduction” will be high on the agenda. Vietnam has indeed made great progress in the past two decades, culminating in it attaining low middleincome-country status in early 2011. Progress and achievements notwithstanding, today, a core of chronic poverty remains with an estimated 5-6 million people still food insecure.

A report commissioned by the Working Group on Land Issues. This report’s intended audience is the staff and government partners of the Lao INGO Network, as well as others who are interested in social issues (and within these I include economic, environmental, legal and political ones) associated with land concessions for investment. Readers wanting a summary of the material presented may wish to focus on the introductory sections (1 and 2), the conclusion (section 4).

According to the Climate Risk Index, less developed countries are generally more affected than industrialised countries. The countries affected most in 2013 were the Philippines, Cambodia and India. For the period from 1994 to 2013 Honduras, Myanmar and Haiti rank highest. Regarding future climate change, the Climate Risk Index may serve as a red flag for already existing vulnerability that may further increase in regions where extreme events will become more frequent or more severe due to climate change.

A webpage list showing company name, address, director name and nationality, status of company registration with the Ministry of Commerce, legal papers and investment rights, ELC size and location with coordinates, purpose of investment, contract duration, land utilization plan, profess of implementation after contract signing, and any measures taken by the Ministry of Agriculture (MAFF).

Conflict over land, combined with the systematic violation of land rights, is one of the most prominent human rights problems faced by Cambodians. The root of this problem can be traced back to the abolition of private ownership by the Khmer Rouge in 1975. This report provides an overview of the land conflicts and provides recommendations for resolving these conflicts.

A presentation on the effects of the 3-S hydropower development on water access, available land resources and impacts on food production. Presenters describe the 3-S river hydropower dam and its impacts, the importance of affected fisheries to Cambodia, and provide an overview of their research on the Tonle Sap. Presented at the Water‐Food Security in Cambodia conference, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, December 2‐3, 2013.

This report takes a snapshot look at how urbanisation is impacting three of Cambodia's secondary cities – Sihanoukville, Battambang, and Siem Reap – and, in particular, their urban poor settlements. The report is based on desk review and field research. The report provides information on history, urban planning, urban poor settlements and interventions for each city.

An extended abstract of Natalia Scurrah and Philip Hirsch's report on land law in the Mekong region, published by Mekong Land Research Forum.

This brief considers the current state and practice of dispute resolution mechanisms in Cambodia, which have been formed to address land disputes and conflicts. The first section introduces land rights abuses in the context of economic land concessions and land grabs, and discusses the relevance for studying land dispute resolution mechanisms in Cambodia. The second section describes the five main dispute resolution mechanisms and the jurisdiction of each mechanism depending on the type of land dispute involved.