Governance and Economic Integration of Collective Lands : A Multidimensional Literature Review

Abstract

The literature on the governance of collective lands generally addresses institutional and economic dimensions separately, without systematically examining their interaction, while cross-contextual comparisons across Africa, Asia, and Latin America remain limited. To fill this gap, this article conducts a narrative and cross-sectional literature review, drawing on a carefully selected body of empirical and conceptual studies from diverse institutional contexts. The analysis is grounded in the theoretical frameworks of institutional economics (Ostrom, 1990; North, 1990; Williamson, 1985) and common-pool resource theory (Agrawal, 2001).

The findings identify three key determinants of effective governance: meaningful stakeholder participation, institutional transparency, and the control of transaction costs. The article also demonstrates that collaborative approaches and institutional innovations constitute essential levers for strengthening economic integration while preserving the social and environmental dimensions of collective lands.

From a theoretical perspective, this review offers an integrated interpretation of the governance–economic integration nexus, which has so far remained fragmented in the literature. From a practical standpoint, it provides guidance for the design of inclusive land policies tailored to the requirements of sustainable development in societies undergoing structural transformation.

Classification JEL : Q15, D23, O18, P48.

Paper type : Theoretical Research