Micro Land Grabbing and Local Communities

This thesis argues, that the dominant focus on large-scale appropriations obscures slower processes of Land Grabbing that might take place gradually on a smaller scale. Members of local communities come into particular focus as their land, which serves as a basis for self-sufficiency and collective identity, is highly affected by land acquisitions. To make such a process visible, we collected and analysed qualitative data from twenty local communities around the world. Our results show a characterization of, what we call, ‘Micro Land Grabbing’ by analysing the actors involved, conflicts and effects as well as possible reactions to such land appropriations. This thesis identifies dynamics that intend to facilitate working with a less regarded, but equally important form of Land Grabbing and shows how the concept sheds new light on a hidden process. Therefore, it contributes to the alternative debate on Land Grabbing.