Barbuda

Barbuda is the small island case in Sand heists and property rights in the Caribbean (Summer School). The episode presents it as a place where land long remained under Communal Land Tenure rather than ordinary private title, with about 1,500 residents using land through collective norms and later statutory recognition under the Barbuda Land Act.

The island becomes a property-rights conflict after Hurricane Irma in 2017. Gaston Browne argues that titled plots would let residents borrow and rebuild, while speakers such as John Mussington and Natalia John argue that private title could reduce Barbudans’ collective control over land, food security, development approval, and environmental value.

Connections

• Antigua and Barbuda and Caribbean - state and regional context.
• Albert "Patty" Simon - source voice explaining the island’s historical land path.
• Hurricane Irma and Disaster Recovery Privatization - disaster-recovery trigger for title conversion.
• Communal Land Tenure, Barbuda Land Act, Property Rights As Investment Incentive, and Property Rights And Community Obligations - institutional branch.