'Goths and Vandals' or 'Civilised' Farmers? Common Lands and Agricultural Productivity in Early 20th Century Spain

Abstract

"By analysing the different factors affecting labour agricultural productivity in early 20th century Spain, this paper shows that common lands were not detrimental to agricultural development. Even though privatisation fostered output per worker by bringing more land into cultivation, the role of the commons as provider of pasture and fertilising materials counteracted that effect, especially in humid regions. The supposed advantages of dismantling the communal regime are thus not supported by the data, so liberal thinkers were simply wrong or, given who mostly benefited from the sales, were seeking to promote vested interests."