Thome, Joseph; Guevara-Gil, Armando, Proceedings of an International Seminar: Land Reform and the Problems of Land Legislation. Institutional Frameworks and Agrarian Reform Processes in Mexico and Peru. . Rome: FAO, 1992. pgs. 191-220
Abstract
Agrarian structures reflect and are part of the societies in which they are inserted. In any given country, therefore, the "agrarian problem" as such carm'1t be isolated from its surrounding social, economic and political environment. Agrarian reform or other legislation and programs that intend to initiate a process of land distribution are no exceptions. A basic aim of such processes is to substantially modify economic, social and political relations as they affect the rural sector. Achieving this end in turn requires a fairly drastic redistribution of property rights, as well as the redesign or re..:orientation of the state institutions that service rural areas so as to 'provide effective access to the intended beneficiaries. In Latin America, at least, the crucial element for initiating this process is political; pressure, particularly from below, and the corresponding determination and power of the State is essential. Nevertheless, once the political parameters are set, several policy and institutional hurdles still have to be faced and resolved, which by their very nature also may involve important economic, political and social issues. Some of these are set out below.
