Is there proof for the Credibility Thesis?

“For instance, the historical ‘persistence’ of share-cropping (Byres 1983) led Cheung (1968) to conclude that it is efficient (i.e. credible and functional). That premise turns around the neo-liberal, neo-classical argument, but by no means entails that credibility or functionality is equal to harmony and peace.” P. Ho, “An endogenous theory of property rights: opening the black box of institutions”, Journal of Peasant Studies, 2016, 43/6, p. 1127.

Other examples include the China’s cadaster and housing.