Land in Transition: Reform and Poverty in Rural Vietnam (Equity and Development Series)

This book is a case study of Vietnam s efforts to fight poverty using market oriented land reforms. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country undertook major institutional reforms, and an impressive reduction in poverty followed. But what role did the reforms play? Did the efficiency gains from reform come at a cost to equity? Were there both winners and losers? Was rising rural landlessness in the wake of reforms a sign of success or failure? Land in Transition investigates the impacts on living standards of the two stages of land law reform: in 1988, when land was allocated to households administratively and output markets were liberalized; and in 1993, when official land titles were introduced and land transactions were permitted for the first time since communist rule began. To fully assess the poverty impacts of these changes, the authors analysis of household surveys is guided by both economic theory and knowledge of the historical and social contexts. The book delineates lessons from Vietnam s experience and their implications for current policy debates in China and elsewhere. Exploring What Vietnam's Economic Would Have Looked Like Without Reform, This Book Offers A Set Of Methods, Drawing On The Tool Kit Of Modern Economics. The Book's Findings Have Implications On Broader Issues Of Social Protection In Developing Rural Economies. List Of Abbreviations And Acronyms -- [part] 1. Introduction -- [part] 2. The Historical Context And Policy Debates -- [part] 3. Data And Summary Statistics -- [part] 4. Welfare Impacts Of Privatizing Land-use Rights -- [part] 5. Land Reallocation After The Introduction Of A Land Market -- [part] 6. Rising Landlessness : A Sign Of Success Or Failure? -- [part] 7. Access To Credit For The Landless Poor -- [part] 8. Conclusions Martin Ravallion, Dominique Van De Walle. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 183-191) And Index. This book offers a set of methods, drawing on the tool kit of modern economics, to ascertain what Vietnam's economy would have looked like without reforms and assesses what types of households are likely to gain from the reforms. The book's findings have implications on broader issues of social protection in developing rural economies.