Inequality and Equity in Irrigation Communities

Abstract

From Introduction:

"We are faced with an interesting problem. On the one hand, most of us are favor equality over inequality. Most of us believe, and some of us claim, that Common Property Management Regimes achieve relatively great degrees of equality among the members, and furthermore need that equality to 'work'. On the other hand, we live and work in states, and social stratification is a defining characteristic of the state. The state always contains many dimensions on which inequality is institutionalized. The problem this poses is an interesting one.

"The problem is how the 'equality' of the CP regime (if it exists) articulates with the 'inequality' of the surrounding social structure.

"In this paper I will discuss some concepts from social organization that are needed for thinking about these matters. I will concentrate the discussion on Irrigation Communities, and will illustrate the points to be made with examples from a selection of cases drawn from my own field work, and from the literature."