Institutional arrangements and regulation of access and use of natural resources in the rural settlements of Semiarid Paraiba

Abstract

The work on formation processes of rural settlements have given little emphasis to the institutional dynamics as part of the efforts of settlers to consolidate the renovated areas and make viable while family farmers. In this direction, we analyze the setting up institutions of rural settlements José Antônio Eufro -sino and Osiel Pereira, located in the Semiarid of Paraiba, and their contribution in regulating the access and use of natural resources by the appropriate collectively settled families. The theoretical perspective was utilized neoinstitutionalism, which highlights the role of institutions: the reduction of uncertainty by delivering rules and norms that regulate individual behavior and the spaces that occur social relations economic and environmental, and to overcome the dilemmas collective action. The methodology was based on the consultation documents, semi-structured interviews and observations in locus. The evaluation of the institutions of rural settlements surveyed in regulating access to and use of natural resources was given to cases: the logging, hunting, fishing and pastures. The study shows that, on one side there is a difficulty institutions regulate individual conduct, and another who is an effort of settlers formulate more effective institutions.