28 Dec Land Tenure and Power

Tenure reflects the power structure in society. Because land and other natural resources are central to social and cultural identity and economic wealth, tenure arrangements in a society develop in a manner that entrenches the power relations between and among individuals and social groups. Tenure thus has enormous political complications and tenure issues are liable to be politicized. Social stability may depend on whether or not there is broad consensus on the fairness of the tenure system.

From the FAO Discussion Paper Towards Voluntary Guidelines on Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land and Other Natural Resources (2009:5)