About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline
LOG IN
LOG IN

20 U.C. Davis J. Int'l L. & Pol'y 105 (2013-2014)
Large-Scale Land Investment in Africa: An Issue of Self-Help and Self-Determination

handle is hein.journals/ucdl20 and id is 111 raw text is: LARGE-SCALE LAND INVESTMENT IN AFRICA: AN ISSUE OF SELF- HELP AND SELF-DETERMINATION Jared Wigginton* ABSTRACT This paper addresses the environmental and human rights implications arising from the global land rush in developing countries in Africa. It acknowledges both the potential benefits and costs of these large-scale land deals, and then analyzes the international community's current response: The Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (the Guidelines). This paper then examines the role of several legal instruments in human rights, international environmental law, and corporate social responsibility and accountability in addressing the costs associated with land deals. Specifically, it considers how these laws and principles constrain host states, transnational corporations (TNCs), home states, and the World Bank. Finally, the article offers several suggestions to ensure the benefits and limit the costs of land deals: (1) developing countries should take a regional approach to the problem; (2) the international community should develop an expert international institution responsible for establishing fair market values in land and overseeing land deals; (3) developing country host states should use their resultant increased bargaining power to negotiate for terms that will increase human development locally; and (4) there should be increased responsibility and accountability placed on TNCs and the World Bank for human rights and the environment. I. INTRODUCTION: SEEING THE FOREST IN LARGE-SCALE LAND DEALS IN AFRICA .............................. .......... 106 II. UNDERSTANDING THE DEBATE: APPREHENSION AND ENTHUSIASM .................................................110 King Hall, Class of 2013. Deepest gratitude for my wife Lauren's love, example, and encouragement. Thanks to Professor Lin for his help in developing the topic and for his insightful feedback. Thanks also to King Hall for providing multiple courses in international law and fostering a global perspective. Finally, love to my brothers and sisters in Cameroon and Congo: on est ensemble.

What Is HeinOnline?

HeinOnline is a subscription-based resource containing thousands of academic and legal journals from inception; complete coverage of government documents such as U.S. Statutes at Large, U.S. Code, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Reports, and much more. Documents are image-based, fully searchable PDFs with the authority of print combined with the accessibility of a user-friendly and powerful database. For more information, request a quote or trial for your organization below.



Short-term subscription options include 24 hours, 48 hours, or 1 week to HeinOnline.

Purchase Access

Contact us for annual subscription options:

Contact Us

Already a HeinOnline Subscriber?

Log In

profiles profiles most