Roots of land grabbing. The role of the neoliberal state in Latin America in the 20th century

Abstract

This paper is a study on the background to land grabbing in Latin America. It is argued that the origin of the phenomenon is the implementation of neoliberalism in the region. The analysis is developed on the basis of the role played by the State. Among its main actions were the opening up of trade, the regulation of the land market, and the legal and illegal facilities it provided to big capital. In this sense, it is argued that such elements are the beginning and the basis that made possible the large purchases of land in the 21st century.