African Enclosures? The Social Dynamics of Wetlands-in-Drylands

'While ecological critics have gained something of an upper hand in this debate of late, the editors of African Enclosures have given the pendulum a huge shove in the opposite direction. For Philip Woodhouse, Henry Bernstein and David Hulme, the most critical determinant of environmental change in Africa is the creeping commoditization of land and water resources ... this unfashionable but cogent and vigorously argued, structuralist position marks African Enclosures as a valuable and timely contribution to political ecology and a range of cognate fields. It should be widely read by those who share its authors' interest in returning political ecology to its political-economic roots'. - Richard A. Schroeder in African Affairs 'A theoretical, and important and revealing book.' - Spore 'Customary tenure provides the best protection for the land claims of poorer people. True or false? In all four areas covered by this research programme on land rights and governance, "customary authority" to control land remains very important, despite the state's attempts to impose other forms of governance. And it demonstrates that, as land becomes scarcer and more valuable, such customary systems provide no guarantee of equitable access for poor, vulnerable groups...This book combines effectively a series of detailed case studies and broader discussion which places the relevance of field-level material in a larger discussion of environmental management, land rights and policy. It will be essential reading for many courses on African development at undergraduate and Master's level.' - Camilla Toulmin in Africa