In the 1990s a livelihood approach to poverty in Africa emerged, with an emphasis on agency as opposed to structure. Situated in an actor-oriented perspective, the livelihood approach focuses on ... Show moreIn the 1990s a livelihood approach to poverty in Africa emerged, with an emphasis on agency as opposed to structure. Situated in an actor-oriented perspective, the livelihood approach focuses on (poor) individuals and households, aiming at a dynamic and holistic understanding of their actions. This chapter outlines the disciplinary roots of the livelihood approach and its modern articulations. It then argues that a new generation of livelihood studies is needed which politicizes issues of livelihood by putting more emphasis on the analysis of power relations, both on the micro and the meso/macro levels. In addition, the increasing multilocality of African livelihoods, associated with income diversification, multitasking and growing mobility, should be taken into account. The new multilocal networks of African livelihoods could constitute an important undercurrent for the strengthening of African development. Bibliogr. [ASC Leiden abstract] Show less
Relations between Africa and China have increased over the years and become more dominated by China's economic interests. With an annual growth rate of 8-9 per cent, and a booming economy, China's... Show moreRelations between Africa and China have increased over the years and become more dominated by China's economic interests. With an annual growth rate of 8-9 per cent, and a booming economy, China's dependency on accessing natural resources is a top priority and has accordingly expanded its horizons. Africa, with all its seemingly unlimited natural resources, is an ideal partner. In addition, the African continent as a whole offers a potential market for China's low-value manufactured commodities. This paper is an attempt to present an overview of contemporary Sino-African relations and the state of trade relations, with special emphasis on natural resources and the export market for Chinese products and investments in Africa Show less
After a general description of pastoralism in Africa, focusing mainly on the Wodaabe and Macina Fulbe in West Africa, the author discusses livestock development policies. He notes that, in the... Show moreAfter a general description of pastoralism in Africa, focusing mainly on the Wodaabe and Macina Fulbe in West Africa, the author discusses livestock development policies. He notes that, in the 1960s and 1970s, much effort was put into programmes to improve cattle breeds and to ameliorate the fodder situation in order to boost meat production, and that in the 1980s, the emphasis on expanding production was relaxed in favour of comprehensive resource management by pastoral groups. This shift coincided with new insights into dry-range ecosystems and their vegetation biodynamics and increased scientific recognition of the efficiency of pastoral economies. In terms of P. Blaikie's analysis (1995, 1996), this new knowledge can be understood as part of a paradigm shift from classic and neoliberal thinking to postmodernist neopopulism. Bibliogr Show less
