Novara Media Novara FM: How to Redistribute the Globe w/ Jo Guldi
Jun 13, 2025
Jo Guldi, an Associate Professor of History at Southern Methodist University, delves into the fascinating history of land struggles globally. She discusses the enduring conflict over land ownership since agriculture's dawn and how these disputes shape today's socio-political landscape. Topics include the impacts of historical land reforms, the evolution of occupancy rights, and the role of grassroots movements in empowering communities. Guldi advocates for rethinking land governance and participatory democracy as solutions to ongoing disparities.
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The Long Land War's Global Impact
- The Long Land War (1881-1975) marks a global shift where ordinary people gain rights to land and housing.
- This era challenges traditional history focused on wars and empires by centering land reforms and social movements.
Colonial Legacies and Neoliberalism
- Colonial-era racial laws restricting land ownership planted long-lasting land inequality globally.
- Neoliberal policies emerged as a pushback to mid-20th century social demands for housing rights.
Ireland's 1881 Land Reform Experiment
- In 1881 Ireland, 80% of land was monopolized by Anglo-Protestant landlords, excluding Catholic tenants.
- The 1881 Irish Land Law introduced rent control and land purchase options, easing eviction crises.
