Legal Mobilization in Large-Scale Land Deals

This book enquires how local communities affected by large-scale land deals make use of legal norms to protect their interests. It combines legal, social mobilisation and business management approaches to identify conditions that promise success in this respect, which are explored in four case studies from two countries: Sierra Leone and the Philippines. The findings of these studies show the relevance of the national legal opportunity structure, strong support networks and the specific characteristics of a company in this regard. The role of political elites and the unity of local actors are also discussed. This book is especially relevant for academics and practitioners interested in the relationship between legal frameworks and local reactions to foreign investors. It also contributes to the research literature on legal mobilisation by going beyond the Western world. Finally, the book offers perspectives on the 'middle ground' of social mobilisation phenomenons, which are neither social movements nor everyday resistance.