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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Land law as an instrument of social change |
Author: | Okon, E. |
Year: | 1985 |
Periodical: | Zambia Law Journal |
Volume: | 17 |
Pages: | 46-64 |
Language: | English |
Notes: | biblio. refs. |
Geographic terms: | Ghana Nigeria Kenya Africa |
Subjects: | social change land law law land tenure |
Abstract: | Using examples from Europe (England) and from Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya), the author traces the role of land law as an instrument of social change. In England changes in land law brought about corresponding changes in social life, and a feudalistic and static society was transformed into a dynamic and mobile one. In Africa, changes in the land tenure system have taken place as a result of the commercialization of agriculture. Commercialization of land has led to the prevalence of land disputes and costly litigation, as well as land speculation. Governments have progressively changed and modernized land law, both customary and statutory. Duality of tenure appears to be the basic trend, however, and until this trend is completely reversed, and land is viewed as a transferable commodity and a major means of production, the role of land law in promoting social change cannot be optimal. Notes, ref. |