Economic Irrationality among Pastoral Peoples: Myth or Reality?

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Periodical article

Title:	Economic Irrationality among Pastoral Peoples: Myth or Reality?
Author:	Livingstone, Ian
Year:	1977
Periodical:	Development and Change
Volume:	8
Issue:	2
Period:	April
Pages:	209-230
Language:	English
Geographic term:	East Africa
Subjects:	subsistence economy farmers Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Suk
External link:	https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7660.1977.tb00737.x
Abstract:	Examination by an economist of the so-called theory of pastoral conservatism', in order to establish some limits as to its validity and wome ways in which this validity might be properly tested. Sections: The 'economic' explanation of overstocking: a problem of property rights - The 'sociological' explanation: social objectives in holding cattle - A third explanation: the livestock-to-human ratio - Lack of commercialization as irrational behaviour - Some evidence of motivation among the Pokot - Investment in pastoral economies: an example - The concept of a 'cattle complex' and its usefulness. Instances are given from East Africa. Notes, tables.