The Natural Border

This article investigates China's market reforms and rapid economic development from the late 1970s. The following questions are posed: (1) How did the Chinese ‘peasant revolution’ and the rural policies and institutions of Mao China influence the market reforms and subsequent economic development? (2) How does China's development after the market reforms relate to Marxist and Polanyian notions of proletarization and commodification of land and labour as preconditions of capitalist development? (3) To what extent and why does China's development after the market reforms diverge from East Asian growth with equity? (4) How does China's ‘decentralized developmental state’ influence its growth model and distribution? (5) The present Chinese government tries to promote greater equality and more domestic consumption. Is this a Polanyian ‘double movement’ in response to commodification of land and labour? How likely are these policies to succeed? These questions are addressed through historical–comparative analyses with comparisons of long-term rural dynamics of Mao China and the former Soviet Union. China after the market reforms is compared with England during its transition to agrarian capitalism and industrial capitalism from the sixteenth century through the early nineteenth century and with Taiwan and South Korea from the late 1940s until the 1980s.

Shenzhen Special Economic Zone (SEZ) has been the flagship labouratory of Deng Xiaoping’s reform and open-door policy and the forerunner of China’s capitalist transformation. The initiation of the Shenzhen SEZ was driven by the imperative of political and economic survival along the state hierarchy and was informed by the international practices of export processing zones (EPZs). Shenzhen’s capitalist fundamentals, such as the commodification of land and labour, were largely established through imitating its ‘big master’ Hong Kong across the border. However, Shenzhen’s policy learning style has gradually shifted from laissez-faire Hong Kong to authoritarian Singapore, propelled by the aspiration, shared among policy-making party élites across China’s administrative hierarchy, of perpetuating the single-party rule. Theoretically, this paper demonstrates how policy mobility is shaped path-dependently by the pre-structured institutional/ideological regime, in what ways the idiosyncratic geographical/historical conjuncture matters, and why political representation and participation are crucial to policy selection and mutation.

This paper explores the genealogy of the birth of the economic growth system in Indonesia and Burma. First, it is a major transformation that occurs in both countries in the form of commodification of land, labor and money. And the formation of pluralism in the colonial society. Second, the transformation of capitalism in Burma that enters through the system of bureaucratic governance, education and social order in rural communities. Third, the study of comparative application of economic liberalism in Indonesia and Burma and its social effects. And the emergence of middle class society who came from outside of original community. The author uses Karl Polanyi’s approach for looking at the social effects of economic liberalism, based on the transformation of three things: the privatization of the land, the commodification of labor and the emergence of the system of money and debt. This comparison primarily uses extensive data from J.S Furnivall in view of the application of an economic liberalism system which is then enriched with studies from other economic historians, such as Thomas Lindblad, Anne Booth and the study of political economics, Richard Robison.

Article Commentary| February 03 2021 Responding to Socioeconomic Diversity in the European Union (and to Steven Klein’s Essay) with Democracy-Enhancing Conflicts Law Collections: Section: Politics, Governance, and the Law Christian Joerges Christian Joerges 1Hertie School, Berlin, Germany; Bremen University, Germany Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar 1.joerges@hertie-school.org; cjoerges@zerp.uni-bremen.de Global Perspectives (2021) 2 (1): 18788. https://doi.org/10.1525/gp.2021.18788 Article history Received: October 20 2020 Accepted: November 12 2020 Connected Content related: European Law and the Dilemmas of Democratic Capitalism Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Christian Joerges; Responding to Socioeconomic Diversity in the European Union (and to Steven Klein’s Essay) with Democracy-Enhancing Conflicts Law. Global Perspectives 1 February 2021; 2 (1): 18788. doi: https://doi.org/10.1525/gp.2021.18788 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentGlobal Perspectives Search Topics Politics, Governance, and the Law Keywords: karl polanyi, european integration, conflicts law, integration through law These comments summarize exchanges with Steven Klein that accompanied the development of his work on Karl Polanyi following a presentation on “The Crisis as Polanyi’s Double Movement” in my Law and Governance course at the Hertie School back in March 2017. Our exchange echoes our shared interest in the work of Karl Polanyi. Since we are both operating in different disciplines, we had to take the disciplinary specifics of our readings of this maître penseur into account—that is, to come to terms with our substantive and methodological affinities and differences. Interdisciplinary exchanges between social theorists and jurists are, of course, anything but new. They are nevertheless still demanding. Friedrich Kratochwil has provided us with a noteworthy characterization of the pitfalls of interdisciplinary exchange, as well as its potential. In a comment on Anne-Mary Slaughter’s seminal contributions to international relations theory, he distinguishes between (a) the “Chinese menu approach,” where studies... You do not currently have access to this content.

ABSTRACTThis article examines, through different processes of changing land use and land tenure, the various types of formal and informal contractual relations existing in two areas of the Niger Basin in southern Mali that are dominated economically by two parastatal companies: Compagnie Malienne pour le Développement du Textile (CMDT) and Office du Niger (ON). The article shows how the production interventions of these two companies shape the framework of land administration in the Niger Basin and the context in which customary relations operate, and lead to the commodification of land relations. It traces the various routes, contracts and arrangements through which people gain access to agricultural land. Besides describing the various transactions in land and contractual relationships, the article also analyses land leasing, sharecropping and various other ways of gaining secondary rights through prestations and loans. Finally, it describes the various land conflicts, the actors involved in making various claims on land and claims to land administration, and the institutions and institutional pluralism that emerge in conflict resolution. The article links these to the increasing commodification of land and agriculture, and the domination of policy by economic liberalism.

Land use change patterns in the Río de la Plata grasslands: The influence of phytogeographic and political boundaries

Land allocation to meet sectoral goals in Indonesia—An analysis of policy coherence

Land-use abuse presents a significant challenge to sustainable development in Nigeria, with far-reaching implications for environmental sustainability, economic growth, and social equity. In view of the above premise, this paper critically examines the role of good governance and policy frameworks in monitoring and managing land use abuses across Nigeria. The study explores the multifaceted nature of land use challenges, including urban sprawl, deforestation, unregulated mining, and indiscriminate land conversion for industrial and residential purposes, which exacerbate environmental degradation and socio-economic disparities. By adopting a mixed-methods approach, this paper draws on case studies and policy reviews to evaluate the effectiveness of existing governance mechanisms and land use policies. Particular attention was given to the interplay between transparency, accountability, and community participation in addressing land use abuse. The analysis highlights the gaps in policy enforcement, institutional coordination, and resource allocation that hinder effective land use monitoring and management. This research then provides actionable insights for policymakers, land professionals, and other stakeholders, contributing to the discourse on sustainable land management in Nigeria and offering a blueprint for addressing similar challenges in other developing countries. The specific objectives of this study are to: (a) examine existing land policies and governance structures to assess their effectiveness in addressing land use abuse and promoting sustainable management, (b) investigate the relationship between governance quality and land use outcomes, focusing on transparency, accountability, public participation, and institutional efficiency, (c) identify the technological, institutional, and policy innovations that can improve land use monitoring and management in Nigeria, and (d) provide a framework for multi-stakeholder collaboration in mitigating land use abuse and ensuring equitable land access. Key Findings includes: i. Governance and Institutional Weaknesses: Weak enforcement of regulations, overlapping responsibilities among government agencies, and pervasive corruption are major barriers to effective land management. Institutional capacity is often undermined by inadequate funding and a lack of technical expertise. ii. Policy Gaps: The Land Use Act of 1978, which centralizes land ownership under state governors, has led to bureaucratic inefficiencies and inequities in land allocation. It lacks provisions for modern urban planning challenges and environmental sustainability. iii. Urban and Rural Disparities: In urban areas like Lagos and Abuja, rapid urbanization drives unauthorized developments, while rural regions face issues such as land grabbing, deforestation, and illegal mining. iv. Technological Shortfalls: While Geographic Information System (GIS) and satellite technologies are increasingly used, their adoption remains limited due to high costs, lack of expertise, and inadequate infrastructure. v. Community Exclusion: Limited stakeholder participation and public awareness contribute to the disconnect between policy objectives and ground realities. The study concludes that good governance, characterized by clear accountability mechanisms, stakeholder collaboration, and the integration of digital technologies, is essential for addressing land use abuse in Nigeria. Recommendations includes: i. Policy Overhaul: Amend the Land Use Act of 1978 to incorporate decentralized land governance, stronger environmental safeguards, and clearer guidelines for equitable land allocation. ii. Technological Integration: Expand the use of GIS, drones, and AI-driven monitoring tools to improve real-time data collection, enhance transparency, and streamline enforcement mechanisms. iii. Institutional Reforms: Strengthen land governance institutions through increased funding, training, and capacity building. Establish a centralized, digital land registry to reduce conflicts and improve efficiency. iv. Public Engagement: Foster inclusive decision-making by involving community stakeholders in land governance processes. Conduct awareness campaigns to educate citizens on land rights and environmental conservation. iv. Inter-agency Collaboration: Harmonize the roles of government agencies involved in land management to eliminate overlaps and foster coordinated action. iv. Sustainable Financing: Develop financing models to support technological adoption and capacity-building programs, including public-private partnerships and international aid.

The article proposes that the most important measure to ensure the efficiency of sustainable land use of the land resource management mechanism in the management system of agrarian enterprises is to determine the transition to the principles of adaptive landscape farming, which is a system of forming land relations that provide for the rationalization and harmonization of the interaction of natural components of the landscape and the activities of agrarian enterprises in the conditions of modern agri-industrial production. It is emphasized that in connection with this, the methodology for the formation of land relations should integrate natural and landscape criteria, consisting in the adaptation of agricultural activity to the natural conditions of the territory involved in agrarian production, and the ecological-economic aspects, the contentual essence of which is the timely implementation preventive measures that restore soil and resource potential and improve the quality of agrarian ecosystems. The transformation of land relations according to the principles of adaptive landscape organization of territories means, first of all, the optimal ratio of agricultural lands. The ecological and economic purpose of agrilandscapes is to constantly increase the share of areas that stabilize the natural environment, or, in other words, forest plantations, pastures, hay-fields, while simultaneously reducing the share of ecologically degraded arable land. The efficiency of the land resource management process in the management system of agrarian enterprises depends on the mutual compliance of the internal and external conditions of the functioning of agri-industrial production. The external conditions of operation should include the factors that determine the process of formation of land resources (climate, relief, soil and plant cover, regulatory and legal support for land use, tax policy, etc.). The internal conditions of the operation of the land use mechanism include the management system of an agrarian enterprise, organizational form of enterprises, methods of technological influence, machines and mechanisms, management process, etc.

A geographic information system (GIS) framework is appealing to model supply-side decisions because spatial relationships commonly used by developers to evaluate building sites, such as the proximity to transportation facilities, existing land uses, political boundaries, and environmentally sensitive areas, are defined precisely in the GIS layers. The GIS captures spatial synergisms that are lost in tabulations by traffic zone or larger forecasting districts. Further, the results are defined for individual parcels (grids). This method interfaces directly with the concerns of residents and other interest groups. Uncertainty and error in postmodel allocations from zones to parcels in existing land use models can significantly blur and degrade the relevance of forecasts made with existing models. The development patterns predicted by UPlan, a planning model, tend to be realistic and provide a basis for land use planning and evaluation. A GIS land use survey, supplemented with simulation model networks and census data, was used to calibrate the model. The calibrated UPlan model did a reasonably accurate job of allocating the various categories of land uses to predefined composite growth areas. The generalized UPlan model is applicable in a wide variety of rural, suburban, and urban settings. The model, as presented, was configured as a travel simulation integrated land use planning tool, but the method also can be used as the supply-side component within a comprehensive land use modeling framework.

This study was conducted to assess the impact of land allocation on the land tenure security, settlement, and land use stability of households, individuals in Central Vietnam. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to test the model using survey data from 400 households and individuals in Quy Nhon, Tay Son, and An Lao, administratively under Binh Dinh Province during the 2019–2023 study period and currently under Gia Lai Province following the July 2025 administrative restructuring. The research results show that land allocation has a direct and positive impact on land tenure security, settlement, and land use stability, while also having an indirect impact through a mediating variable, partly land tenure security (shown by the significance level of the research model at 1%, total effect βLA→LTS–SLUS = 0.603). The research results propose several policy implications for land allocation regulations that combine enhanced legal security, actual security, and perceived security, thereby encouraging land users to settle and stabilize their land use.

In many fast-growing parts of the USA, transportation problems are to a significant degree outgroths of housing and land-use problems. Long journeys to work, traffic congestion and mobile-source pollution are tied to shortages of affordable housing, fiscalisation of land use and real-estate market distortions in California. While road capacity kept pace with state population growth from 1984-97, it has lagged behind the number of vehicle miles travelled. Increasing the supply of affordable housing near urban job locations, especially those with good public transport could help considerably in shortening commuting distance, prvided people chose to live near their place of work. Insufficient housing is cited as a particular problem in job-rich areas. Three land use strategies that hold promise for achieving smart growth in California are discussed: compact cities, public transport-orientated development, and traditional neighbourhood designs. Ways of mitigating the unintended and harmful effects of regulatory policies are discussed. It is suggested that jurisdiction over transportation and land use matters should match commuting hinterlands rather than political boundaries.

Towards balanced development stage: Regulating the spatial pattern of agglomeration with collaborative optimal allocation of urban land

Land as a natural resource plays a major role in the livelihood and in a growth of any country, therefore an effective land management can help communities and Governmental institutions to easily plan and manage land resources. Due to the complexity involved in land issues, land management has not been an easy task especially in developing countries. Land information in Tanzania is kept manually especially at districts land offices. This is due to the lack of proper and computerized systems such as the proposed Land Information System (LIS). The manual way of handling land use information cause unnecessary issues which causes land resources management practices difficult. Literature review, Analysis and feasibility study were done to understand the context of land use information management which is important to determine the system user requirements. The study look at how districts do land administration and how LIS can be applied in supporting land administration processes. We then propose, design and develop the LIS. The structures and functionalities of the LIS are developed using UML notation. The implemented prototype of the LIS system demonstrates the system features. This dissertation aims to improve land administration at the districts in Tanzania particularly allocation of land uses and valuation by using LIS. To conclude, application of LIS in land administration at district level have impact towards improving performance in delivering land services to the customers as well as enhancing valuation process. This is based on the fact that LIS can ensure the availability, security and accuracy of land information. The proposed LIS helps in optimizing decision making when it comes to land issues.

Optimization land use based on multi-scenario simulation of ecosystem service for sustainable landscape planning in a mixed urban - Forest watershed