Local elites have also played a vital role in spreading land deals.

ECONOMIST: The surge in land deals

This often means that local elites usurp a disproportionate share of those resources, and that individuals have little incentive to maintain and upgrade forests or agricultural land.

ECONOMIST: Local difficulties

But ironically, these regulations are undermined by corruption as the trade is organised by members of local elites who ensure that "their" bush meat sellers are not targeted by the eco guards - and instead, the eco guards have been accused of victimising the Ba'aka.

BBC: Concern over Congo logging

In many regions, they have developed alliances with, or are the creation of, local political elites.

ECONOMIST: Colombia��s nervy elections

It urged ministers to support the authorities in developing nations to improve the collection rates of income tax, VAT and local property taxes and to ensure governing elites paid their fair share.

BBC: UK Politics