University of Chicago Researcher Discusses the Role of Land Power in Shaping Political and Social Structures at UNAB

Professor Michael Albertus, Ph.D. in Political Science and professor at the University of Chicago, visited the UNAB School of Business and Economics to take part in the lecture and discussion panel titled Land Power: Democracy and Conflict in Global Perspective.

This activity is part of the ongoing alliance between IPE-UNAB and the Becker Friedman Institute, which aims to promote joint academic work between both institutions.

The event was opened by the Dean of the School of Business and Economics, Juan Pablo Torres, who emphasized the importance of these conversations both for building links with renowned international institutions and for giving students a deeper understanding of complex topics. “At the School of Business and Economics, we want our students to develop critical thinking grounded in empirical evidence,” he stated.

The Role of Land Ownership

During his presentation, Professor Albertus, a globally recognized researcher on democracy, inequality, and civil conflict, introduced the core ideas of his book and outlined how land has played a key role in shaping political, economic, and social structures from ancient Mesopotamia to the present.

He explained that for much of human history, population density was low and “people didn’t have to think much about land.” However, by around 70 BCE in the Roman Empire, the first land ownership records began to emerge. “We start to see people engaging in individual land transactions. For the first time in human history, we see a land registry,” he noted.

Over the centuries, even as Indigenous peoples continued to hold land in various parts of the world, land ownership became increasingly concentrated, with different societies developing their own hierarchies and systems of control.

In the last two centuries, Professor Albertus continued, population growth, the emergence of nation-states, and social conflict increased the demand for land. As state capacity to reassign and redistribute land grew, this triggered widespread upheaval over who held land across societies. “I refer to this as ‘the great reshuffling’ because it fundamentally restructured and reconnected nearly every country and society in the world. It gave rise to racial and ethnic hierarchies, gender inequalities, underdevelopment, and environmental degradation.”

A Multisector Panel Discussion

Following the lecture, a discussion panel was held, moderated by IPE researcher Professor Jorge Rojas Vallejos. Panelists included Yovana Ahumada, Member of Parliament for District 3 in the Antofagasta Region; Ricardo Mewes, entrepreneur and former president of the Confederation of Production and Commerce (CPC); and Alberto Pizarro Chañilao, former national director of the National Corporation for Indigenous Development (Conadi).

Congresswoman Ahumada emphasized the need for decentralization. “We must acknowledge the realities of each region. Each has its own context. Professor Albertus walked us through the themes of development, territory, and identity. This highlights the importance of incorporating regional perspectives in our work,” she said.

She added that in addition to social demands, there are also regional demands for economic development. She called on Congress and the Executive Branch to work together to move these efforts forward.

Ricardo Mewes reflected on the role of business associations in this area. He explained that during his leadership at the CPC, the focus was on “putting people at the center” to balance economic development with public expectations. He added that part of society is now asking how long it will be necessary to carry the weight of historical injustice. In that context, the CPC welcomed the creation of the Presidential Commission for Peace and Understanding, an initiative launched by President Gabriel Boric to seek long-term solutions to the conflict in the Araucanía and other southern regions.

Alberto Pizarro highlighted the importance of spaces for dialogue on land and ownership, noting that many power dynamics begin with these relationships. He added that 80% of the Indigenous population now lives in urban areas and called for an update to public policy to reflect that reality.

Professor Jorge Rojas closed by stressing that territorial conflicts, in Chile and elsewhere, must be analyzed through academic and technical lenses based on historical evidence. This, he said, is essential to identifying the best strategies to reduce or eliminate these conflicts, which hinder equitable economic development.

Finally, Nicolás Garrido, Director of the Institute of Economic Policy, stated that Professor Albertus’s presentation reflects UNAB’s institutional commitment to engage with top-tier international universities. Through its alliance with the Becker Friedman Institute at the University of Chicago, he said, IPE aims to foster collaborative research that improves the quality and global reach of academic work.