APPROPRIATION, CONTROL, AND FOREIGNIZATION OF LAND IN SOUTH AMERICA

an analysis of regional actors

Abstract

The 21st century has been marked by intense global transformations, particularly the process of re-signifying land and natural resources within capitalist dynamics. Among the key aspects of this movement is the appropriation of large tracts of land through a variety of mechanisms and forms of control, recognized in the literature as “land grabbing”. Part of this dynamic has unfolded through land control by foreign actors. While initial analyses focused on investors from the North in the Global South, recent studies highlight the role and presence of regional actors. This is precisely the focus of this special issue of the journal Campo - Territorio, which specifically examines the role of these investors in the dynamics of land appropriation, control, and foreignization in South America. This dossier includes eight articles by authors from various institutions (national and international) and fields of expertise, addressing cases in different countries across the region (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, and Venezuela) and diverse sectors (agriculture, livestock, forestry, real estate, among others). Drawing on different cases, themes, and perspectives, the texts demonstrate that many facets of the land grabbing phenomenon still warrant greater attention and in-depth analysis.