Abstract
The central purpose of this chapter is to demonstrate that adaptable, flexible, and appropriate institutions are central to sustainable development. The paradigm of agent-based social systems underlines the importance of better frameworks to support the role of institutions in sustainable development. The identified sustainable development strategies may be adapted to local conditions by countries and communities. Each of these strategies relies on judicious modification of preexisting institutions. A brief case study of the legal and institutional framework in Tajikistan is presented. This chapter shows inter alia why and how institutions—the glue of society that defines community—are critical to sustainability. Without them, sustainable development would remain in the domain of rhetoric.
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Notes
- 1.
Agent-based models also called individual-based models. Agent-based models could help to evaluate policies. The search for general principles underlying the internal organization of such systems often uses bottom-up simulation models such as agent-based models. Agent-based models could help to evaluate policies.
- 2.
Agents in this context are the various elements in society who are capable of making individual and independent decisions that can impact on systems. See also earlier footnote.
- 3.
Features of social organization such as networks, norms, and social trust that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit.
- 4.
The capacity of a system to adapt if the environment where the system exists is changing.
- 5.
Dehkan (literally peasant) farms arose after the collapse of the Soviet Union and land previously in collective or State farms was allocated to former employees (see fuller explanation in Halimova, Chap. 13, this volume).
- 6.
Both the Constitution and Land Code clearly indicate that the State owns all land in Tajikistan, but that individuals and legal entities may acquire, use, manage, and transfer the land use rights listed in the Land Code, which are rights “in rem” to the land under the law.
- 7.
Joint Dehkan farms are commonly referred to as collective Dehkan farms. This terminology was changed during the most recent amendments to the law in 2009 in order to reflect better the actual land use rights of the shareholders in such a farm, which are joint and severable (a member of a joint Dehkan farm may have his interest in the land separated in order to establish a family Dehkan or individual Dehkan farm).
- 8.
Mahalla is the local governing group see Glossary
- 9.
Commonly referred to as the Law on Self-Governance of Town and Township.
- 10.
Such as seed and fertilizer.
- 11.
Including private veterinarians, animal breeding, and advisory.
- 12.
Such as input suppliers, processors, and service providers.
- 13.
These would, for example, deal with a broken bridge or road and the current grazing/herding arrangements.
- 14.
Such as GAA, AKF, Mercy Corps, Save the Children, CAMP Kuhiston, Azal, and Latif.
- 15.
The amendments to the Land Code were initiated by the DCC, and the process was led by USAID Land Reform Project.
References and Further Reading
Emadi MH (2012) Better land stewardship to avert poverty and land degradation: a viewpoint from Afghanistan. In: Squires V (ed) Rangeland stewardship in Central Asia. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 91–108 (Chapter 5, this volume)
Fay M, Block RI, Ebinger J (2009) Adapting to climate change in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. World Bank, Washington DC
Halimova N (2012) Land tenure reform in Tajikistan: implications for land stewardship and social sustainability: a case study. In: Squires VR (ed) Rangeland stewardship in Central Asia. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 305–332 (Chapter 13, this volume)
Hannam I (2012) International perspectives on legislative and administrative reforms as an aid to better land stewardship in Central Asia. In: Squires V (ed) Rangeland stewardship in Central Asia. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 407–430 (Chapter 17, this volume)
Jackson R (2012) Attitudes toward endangered wildlife protection and barriers to implementation. In: Squires V (ed) Rangeland stewardship in Central Asia. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 357–380 (Chapter 15, this volume)
Jacobs M, Schloeder C (2012) Afghanistan’s extensive livestock producers. In: Squires V (ed) Rangeland stewardship in Central Asia. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 109–128 (Chapter 6, this volume)
Kurbanova B (2012) Constraints and barriers to better land stewardship: analysis of PRAs in Tajikistan. In: Squires V (ed) Rangeland stewardship in Central Asia. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 129–164 (Chapter 7, this volume)
Oxfam (2009) Reaching tipping point: climate change and poverty in Tajikistan. Oxfam International, Dushanbe, 22 p
Rahimon RM (2012) Evolution of land use in nomadic culture in Central Asia with special reference to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. In: Squires V (ed) Rangeland stewardship in Central Asia. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 51–70 (Chapter 3, this volume)
Squires V (2012) Better land stewardship: an economic and environmental imperative if there is to be sustainable development. In: Squires V (ed) Rangeland stewardship in Central Asia. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 31–50 (Chapter 2, this volume)
World Bank (2006) World development reports. Equity and development Washinton, DC
World Bank (2007) World development report. Development and the next generation Washinton, DC
World Bank (2008) World development reports. Agriculture for development Washinton, DC
Acknowledgements
I am grateful to my erstwhile colleagues Robert Oberndorf and Kuvat Bapeav on the ADB/GEF Rural Development Project in Tajikistan for some of the information they developed. Specifically, Section 4 about the governance and institutions in Tajikistan is due to their work and to efforts of the national consultants who facilitated access to sources and personnel.
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Squires, V. (2012). Governance and the Role of Institutions in Sustainable Development in the Central Asian Region. In: Squires, V. (eds) Rangeland Stewardship in Central Asia. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5367-9_12
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