Introduction to a new book, At the Crossroads: Land and Agrarian Reform in South Africa into the 21st Century, based on a PLAAS/NLC conference of July 1999. In addressing whether land and agrarian reform has a future in South Africa and who might benefit, the book’s editor discusses the political context of the conference; integrated rural development; the new policy directions announced in February 2000; and the structure and contents of the book

Resumen

From peoples' point of view, the issue of khas land is so much so neglected and non-transparent that no one even knows what is the amount of khas land available in Bangladesh. No comprehensive research work has so far been undertaken to assess the impact of distribution of the khas land on the poor, and the whole range of problems associated with the retention and non-retention of khas land by the poor including the role of the power matrix (agents of power structure) in the process of alienating the poor from their inherent rights to own the khas land.

Gender issues in land tenure systems. Sections include: key issues; females' less visible roles; instances when women and girls may need special attention; examples of gender sensitive terms of reference; and mini case studies.

La Ley de Desarrollo Agrario parte de un supuesto básico: el fracaso del proceso de reforma agraria y la necesidad de impulsar una vía capitalista empresarial en el agro. Es por ello que no se permite siquiera nombrar la reforma agraria donde el principal problema es la estructura de la tenencia de la tierra.

Como resultado de la implementación de las políticas neoliberales en la región durante las dos últimas décadas, el problema de la tierra ha pretendido ser “archivado” no sólo en las políticas sectoriales sino también en las discusiones sobre el problema agrario y rural en general.

This study is based on research carried out during several periods from mid 1991 to mid 1995 in the ejido La Canoa in Jalisco, western Mexico, and in several government agencies. The study focuses in particular on the period between the 1930s and 1992 when the Mexican agrarian law was fundamentally changed. The last chapters of the book discuss the change of the agrarian law in 1992.