Grabbing or investment? On judging large-scale land acquisitions

Mann, Stephan; Bürgi, Elisabeth (2016). Grabbing or investment? On judging large-scale land acquisitions. Agriculture and human values, 34(1), pp. 41-51. Springer 10.1007/s10460-016-9688-1

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Although analyses of large-scale land acquisitions (LSLA) often contain an explicit or implicit normative judgment about such projects, they rarely deduce such judgment from a nuanced balancing of pros and cons. This paper uses assessments about a well-researched LSLA in Sierra Leone to show that a utilitarian approach tends to lead to the conclusion that positive effects prevail, whereas deontological approaches lead to an emphasis on negative aspects. LSLA are probably the most radical land-use change in the history of humankind. This process of radical transformation poses a challenge for balanced evaluations. Thus, we line out a framework that focuses on the options of local residents but sets boundaries of acceptability through the core contents of human rights. In addition, systemic implications of a project need to be regarded.

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