Predictors of Land Privatization: Cross-Cultural Tests of Defendability and Resource Stress Theory

American Anthropologist • Vol/Iss. 122(4) • American Anthropological Association • Arlington, VA • Published In • Pages: 745-758 •
By Ember, Carol R., Adem, Terferi Abate, Brougham, Tahlisa, Pitek, Emily

Abstract

In this article, the authors seek to understand the predictors of land privatization by empirically testing defendability and resource stress theory. By drawing on previous research they are able to test these theories in more expansive and nuanced ways. They conclude that they have found strong support for defendability theory.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Standard Cross Cultural Sample (SCCS)researcher's own and other researchersfrom which the researchers used a subsample of 83 societies of their own data and a combined subsample of 133 societies that also incorporated other researcher's data
Ethnographic Atlas (EA)by other researchersdata collected for the same 83 and 133 society subsamples list above

Hypotheses (13)

HypothesisSupported
Mobility will be associated with communal propertySupported
Mobility will be associated with larger territorial size of propertySupported
High dependence on hunting and gathering will be associated with mobilitySupported
High dependence on herding animals will be associated with mobilitySupported
Irrigation will be negatively associated with mobilitySupported
Irrigation will be associated with the robustness of individual land rightsSupported
Permanent settlement will be associated with the robustness of individual land rightsSupported
High dependence on either hunting and gathering or herding animals will be negatively associated with the robustness of individual land rightsSupported
The relationship between the robustness of individual land rights and the level of natural hazards modified by famine will be curvilinearNot supported
Higher rates of famine will be associated with communal propertySupported
In societies with permanent settlements, famines will be negatively associated with communal propertySupported
In societies with nonpermanent settlements, famines will be negatively associated with communal propertyNot supported
The robustness of individual land rights will be negatively associated with droughtPartially Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: dmccloskey103  anj.droe