Land, Custom and Practice in the South Pacific (Cambridge Asia-Pacific Studies) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 052147289X ISBN 13: 9780521472890

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1995

Synopsis

Land tenure arrangements are fundamental to the way societies and economies operate. This book argues that in the South Pacific Islands, land formerly held by community groups under "customary" or "traditional" forms of tenure is now often being privatized. There is a divergence between rhetoric and reality concerning these trends. The authors present case studies from Western Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and Fiji, and note parallels from other regions experiencing comparable forces of commercialization, individualization and socio-political change.

About this title

Book Description:

This book argues that in the South Pacific Islands, land formerly held by community groups under traditional forms of tenure is now often being privatised. The authors present case studies from four countries, and examine parallels from other regions experiencing comparable socio-economic forces.

From the Back Cover:

Land tenure arrangements are intimately linked with the organisation of society, the economy (particularly to land use), the political structure and the geography of most countries. The majority of land in all South Pacific Island countries remains under 'customary' or 'traditional' forms of tenure in which land is normally held by a community group. This book argues that many parts of the region are in the midst of a major transformation in the way in which land is allocated and held by owners and users. These changes are closely related to concurrent changes in the demography and socio-political organisation. These analysts discuss here how traditional tenure and contemporary practice frequently diverge; how custom has been sometimes invented (and re-invented) and is a source of potential tension; how discordance between 'development' and 'tradition' in relation to land tenure is increasing. Reform of customary and codified systems to match current needs could result in major modifications of the social, economic and geographic character of Pacific Island countries.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 052147289X
• ISBN 13: 9780521472890
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 308
• Editor: Ward R. Gerard, Kingdon Elizabeth