Emergence of a New Analytical Concept
We can observe changes in the concepts used in scientific
studies on man – land relations. During the last twenty
years, a new branch of economic theory has been developed
which deals with institutions. On the basis of new-classical
theory, the ‘New Institutional Economics’ attempt
to provide a better explanation of institutions than had been
possible in the past. As man – land relations are institutionalized
relations, this new approach is very relevant for the analysis
of land tenure. The most relevant NIE concepts (institutions,
property rights, contract and agency relationships, transaction
costs and power) fit very well to aspects of man – land
relations. It is, therefore, no wonder that quite a bit of
the research work employing NIE deals with topics such as
sharecropping, hired agricultural labour, cooperatives, horizontal
and vertical integration, etc. These studies have provided
new insights and made important contributions for explaining
institutions. We can certainly anticipate more progress in
the future.
next: 11.Towards the Next Century
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