The Peruvian economist Desoto in his book "The Mystery of Capital" argues that the poor throughout the third world own a lot of property but cannot use it as capital because the legal foundations for clear titles to the land and businesses they own have not been established. My impressions of the RD on a couple of visits support his ideas. Anyone have insights on the staus of barrio real estate holdings/ small business in RD? Can a colmado owner run a legal fully registered business or does the regulatory tangle put barrio business outside the law? What kind of title do people with tin roof shacks have? If they move up to building a solid little house (as I saw many people doing), does the legal system protect their investment in the property or is ownership held outside of regular channels?