Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/224039 
Year of Publication: 
2020
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 13597
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
Tanah bengkok (bengkok land) in Java, Indonesia boasts a unique institution where elected village leaders receive usufruct rights to a parcel of land owned by the village, in lieu of salary. Despite its relevance to the political economy of land distribution in Java, unavailability of systematic data has so far constrained in-depth empirical research on bengkok land. In 2018, we conducted a survey covering 130 villages and more than 1,800 households in Java. We found substantial heterogeneity in the incidence and use patterns of bengkok land across villages. Fixed rental tenancy appeared more prevalent than sharecropping on bengkok land and bengkok landlords seldom got involved in tenants' farming decisions, which made bengkok land management look more 'business-like'. Finally, evidence is consistent with political cycles as the village heads with reelection motives offered sharecropping contracts to non-relatives to garner a larger pool of supporters.
Subjects: 
Tanah bengkok
land tenancy
village administration
political cycle
Java
Indonesia
JEL: 
H77
H83
O13
P14
O53
Q15
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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