Absentee ownership has been a political and social issue for centuries, well-known examples being the court mobility in pre-revolutionary France and English landowners in 19th century Ireland.
In the USA two-thirds of land rented out is owned by absentee landlords. In Latin America up to 90% of large landowners are absentee. Today in Brazil, which has probably the most inequitable land ownership pattern in Latin America, fully 1% of the population possess over 45% of the land. But also in developed countries this is the case. A recent survey conducted in Scotland reveals that two-thirds of the privately owned land is held by just 1,000 people. These would represent one-fiftieth of one percent of the population, were it not that many are absentee landlords and therefore non-resident. They include English aristocrats, Arabian oil sheikhs, Swiss bankers, South African industrialists, racing car drivers, pop stars, arms dealers and others not noted for their socio ecological awareness. Their sole qualification to own Scotland is that they are rich.