This report describes the extent of soil degradation, its bio-physical and socio-economic causes and macro- and micro-economic impacts. The causes behind the failure of soil conservation projects are analyzed. The book aims to prove that it is not just because land users lack efficient technologies that they do not protect the soil better; the major causes are insufficient participation in technology development and the lack of favourable socio-economic, institutional and legal frameworks. The final chapter describes approaches for creating more favourable agro-political conditions. Economic incentives for farmers and participatory approaches in research and technology development are discussed in detail. The appendix gives additional data on the extent of global soil degradation, information on soil-related research in international research centres and German research institutes, and indicates development co-operation projects focusing on soil management.