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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:How to research the changing outlines of African livelihoods
Authors:Haan, Leo J. deISNI
Zoomers, AnneliesISNI
Year:2006
Periodical:Africa Development: A Quarterly Journal of CODESRIA (ISSN 0850-3907)
Volume:31
Issue:4
Pages:121-150
Language:English
Notes:biblio. refs.
Geographic term:Africa
Subjects:livelihoods
households
social research
globalization
Economics, Commerce
Cost and standard of living
External link:https://www.jstor.org/stable/24483879
Abstract:This paper examines how to research the changing outlines of African livelihoods in the present era of globalization. After an analysis of the historical and theoretical context in which the modern livelihood approach developed, two trends in modern livelihood studies are discussed, i.e. its increased holistic features and the surmounting of its micro-orientation. Subsequently, the most pressing issues in livelihood research are reviewed: decomposition of households, and the increased diversification and increased multilocality of livelihoods under globalization. The next section focuses on two major theoretical and methodological challenges facing the livelihood approach at present. First, with respect to the problem of access, the paper demonstrates that the livelihood approach can become more powerful analytically by improving its theoretical depth through incorporating valuable elements of sovereignty and power. Second, there is the access to livelihood opportunities in relation to decisionmaking. In this context, the paper reviews relevant concepts, such as livelihood strategies and styles, in order to operationalize the improved theoretical depth. It then proposes livelihood trajectories as an appropriate methodology for examining pathways of African livelihoods. In doing so, the paper also suggests an agenda for future research on African livelihoods. Bibliogr., ref., sum. in English and French. [Journal abstract]
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