TEXT 18 LAND REFORM

Land reform is the breakup of large landholdings and the redistribution of the land to farmers who have little land or none. Land reform may be carried out by a government or by the leaders of a revolutionary movement. Governments usually undertake land reform to reduce social and political tensions. Revolutionists may favor land reform to gain support for their revolution. Land reform may increase agricultural output by causing the land to be farmed more intensely.

A government may acquire land for redistribution by expropriating it- that is, by taking the land against the will of the owner, sometimes without paying for it. Government also may buy land from landlords who wish to sell portions of their holdings. Some land reform laws redistribute land by abolishing regulations that limit the peasants’ ability to own or purchase land.

To be successful, land reform often must be accompanied by other measures. These measures include the assurance of indisputable land titles and fair taxes and the provision of technical assistance and affordable loans to poor farmers.

Land reform has been especially important in the less developed countries of Asia and America. In many of these countries, a small number of people have traditionally owned a large percentage of the farmland. In most cases, such a pattern of land ownership originated in past feudal or colonial systems. However, the pattern may be reinforced by modern technological changes and by political practices that favor people who own large amounts of land.

I. Study the following words:

Land reform, landholding, redistribution, movement, agricultural output, intensely, portion, abolish, peasant, purchase, indisputable, fair taxes, affordable, loan, farmland.

 

II. Define the part of speech of the following words:

feudal, successful, important, assistance, revolutionist, movement, provision, ownership, measure, percentage, political, originated.

 

III. Complete the sentences with appropriate words from the text:

To be successful, land … often must be … by other measures.

Revolutionists may … land reform to gain … for their revolution.

Government also may buy land from … who wish to … portions of their holdings.

Land reform has … especially … in the less developed countries of … and ….

Land reform may … agricultural … by causing the land to be … more intensely.

 

IV. Give your own definitions of the words:

 

Revolutionist, reform, owner, assurance, favor, assistance, holdings.

 

V. Retell the text ‘Land Reform’.