Securing Common Property Regimes in a 'Modernizing' World: Synthesis of 41 Case Studies on Common Property Regimes from Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America

Abstract

"Common property regimes remain a significant property arrangement in many parts of the developing world. Resources held under such regimes continue to play a major role in sustaining the livelihoods and socio-cultural practices of many communities, particularly of the poor and marginalized sections of such communities. This paper provides a broad synthesis of the status of common property regimes, from a community perspective, from a total of 20 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, covering a diversity of resources including forests, trees, rangelands, and fisheries.

"While privatization for large scale commercial development and the expansion of small-holder agriculture are significant threats to CPRs, other threats include the appropriation of CPRs for conservation under various arrangements and obligations, legal ambiguities and a non recognition of customary law. Communities together with their partners have devised strategies for securing their common property regimes in particular and access to resources from the commons more broadly. We outline these efforts as well.

"We argue that those elements that pertain to the orthodox security of private, individual property such as state recognition and backing are also relevant and fundamental to securing CPRs (the private property for a recognized group) primarily from external threats. We also suggest that securing the rights and entitlements of individuals and sub- groups to resources held under common property arrangements is crucial. Strengthening internal governance structures and arrangements (such as conflict resolution, rule making and enforcement), and making them more equitable and accountable may ensure more equitable decision making and benefit distribution, both of which are crucial for securing against internal threats."