Analytical Framework for Institutional Contribution in Land Tenure Reforms

Authors

• Milinda Piyasena

Keywords:

Land Tenure, Land Policy, New Institutional Economic Theories, Rural Development

Abstract

Land tenure systems, especially in Sri Lanka and many other developing countries in Asia and Africa are very complex. This complexity has arisen from complex relations between man, land, and organizations. These relations are mainly based on different institutions. However, in most cases, consistencies between these institutions are poor. This results in inefficient tenure system which in turn brings tenure insecurity, low productivity, resource degradations, etc. The main objective of the paper is to develop an analytical framework to study the institutional character of land tenure system so as to reduce the institutional inconsistencies and thus to form an effective land tenure system. Accordingly, based on a thorough literature review and field experiences, the paper has developed an analytical framework to study the land tenure relations and institutions involved in them. The analytical framework also describes the interdependent nature between property rights and other institutions within a land tenure system and their contribution towards the development of a coherent land tenure system. By using the analytical framework the paper has analyzed the land tenure system in Sri Lanka. For this purpose the case study method was adopted. The outcomes show that failure of the land tenure system is mainly caused by institutional inefficiencies. Further, this paper discovers that a well developed institutional analytical framework can be used to identify the institutional inconsistencies within a land tenure system. Thus, it can be an effective tool in land policy making.