Communal Land Tenure and Agrarian Reform in Mexico

Abstract

It is a characteristic feature of the discussions now in progress on the direction to be taken by Mexican agriculture, which have again flared up sharply in that country, that they constantly return to the problem of the ejido, (1) its place and role in the socio-economic development of the country, and to the presidency of Cardenas (1934-1940) — i.e., the period when reforms progressed most intensively. One group of Mexican economists, sociologists, and historians demands that the principles of the reform of the 1930's be reexamined, and that agriculture be brought into correspondence with the development of the country. While objectively reflecting the interests of the agricultural and industrial capitalists, who are growing stronger, these proponents of agrarian revisionism insist that the structure of the ejido sector should be liberalized, and free capitalist competition permitted. (2) This, they assert, would enable the peasants' initiative to flourish, and would lead to enlarging the...