This is an empirical contribution to the study of the implications of political engagement for the social and political lives of informal workers in the Global South, by exploring the world of the... Show moreThis is an empirical contribution to the study of the implications of political engagement for the social and political lives of informal workers in the Global South, by exploring the world of the taxi-moto drivers (zemidjan) in Benin. The ethnographic research methodology mobilized a variety of sources for comparing the associational and political dynamics of the zemidjan in several towns (Cotonou, Parakou, Natitingou, and Kandi).The central preoccupation of this research has been to explain the perception among the zemidjan that their working and living conditions have not improved, despite their strategic use of the political sphere by way of the leaders of their diverse organisations. The main results show that despite their efforts to access certain platforms, the influencing capacity of the leaders in public decision making bodies is limited. This does not preclude that collective initiatives of the zemidjan have brought significant improvements to the corporation over time.It was highlighted that beyond those convincing gains facilitated by zemidjan engagement in the political arena, their insatisfaction is rather linked to the non-realisation of profound aspirations for a professional reconversion in order to improve their social status due to the negative connotation which makes zemidjan a "profession by default". Show less
While the inclusion of extreme poor people is a noble and necessary objective, it is challenging. Attempts to include extreme poor people in development interventìons have often been disappointing.... Show moreWhile the inclusion of extreme poor people is a noble and necessary objective, it is challenging. Attempts to include extreme poor people in development interventìons have often been disappointing. This book addresses the challenge of including the poorest people. lt provides deeper understanding of the mechanisms of in- and exclusion of extreme poor people, the structural causes of extreme poverty and the desirability of a univocal definition of extreme poverty. The book contributes to such an understanding through an analysis of extreme poor and marginalised people and their multiple dimensions of wellbeing. Furthermore, this book sheds light on the discourses and practices applied by development agencies in order to draw lessons about how the extreme poor can be sustainably included in development interventions. This is based on original field research - using a partipatory approach - carried out in Bangladesh, Benin, and (rural and urban) Ethiopia. Show less
Pastoralists and the city: Fulani herders in Benin in an urbanising and globalising era At present, the pastoralists mode of production in Africa is under increased ecological, political and... Show morePastoralists and the city: Fulani herders in Benin in an urbanising and globalising era At present, the pastoralists mode of production in Africa is under increased ecological, political and economic pressure. In the past 30 years political marginalisation, economic integration into markets leading to increased competition, and ecological degradation of pastures have resulted in dramatic shifts in pastoralism. In West Africa, it has been noticed that since the 1970s pastoralism is increasingly dominated by cities. Firstly, increased market integration has resulted in dependence on and orientation towards urban markets. Secondly, urbanities now own considerably parts of pastoralists (also called Fulani or Peul) herds. Thirdly, Fulani have increasingly moved to cities and towns. However, evidence is scattered and hardly any coherent research has been done on the modern relationship between pastoralists and the city in the present era of urbanisation. Thus, the present research project on Pastoralists and the city in Benin will explore the urban livelihood of Fulani and the niches they have found to sustain and expand their livelihood. Moreover, it will look into the possibility how and where they could improve their access to livelihood opportunities, including those created by government interventions Show less
L'immigration des éleveurs en milieu urbain est un phénomène récent au Bénin et a été peu documenté. Vu que l'élevage basé sur l'exploitation des ressources naturelles constitue la principale... Show moreL'immigration des éleveurs en milieu urbain est un phénomène récent au Bénin et a été peu documenté. Vu que l'élevage basé sur l'exploitation des ressources naturelles constitue la principale activité dont ils tirent l'essentiel de leur subsistance, on peut se demande comment parviennent-ils à survivre en ville? Cette thèse porte sur les changements intervenus dans le livelihoods des Fulbe résidant dans la petite, moyenne et grande ville. L'auteur démontre comment le marché de travail, la commercialisation de bétail et le commerce de divers influencent la trajectoire de livelihoods des Fulbe résidant en ville. - Théophile Djedjebi a étudié les sciences agronomiques, l'agriculture et développement. Pendant 16 ans, il était impliqué dans la Coopération Internationale entre l'Université du Bénin et les Universités néerlandaises et travaille comme consultant pour différentes organisations internationales dans le développement et le renforcement des capacités. Show less
This chapter starts from the premise that economic actions can only be understood if looked upon as embedded in social structure. Therefore, it elaborates the concept of (sustainable) livelihood,... Show moreThis chapter starts from the premise that economic actions can only be understood if looked upon as embedded in social structure. Therefore, it elaborates the concept of (sustainable) livelihood, which is taken to emanate from the interactions of actors with vital capitals. It argues that, in the context of globalization, livelihood becomes increasingly multidimensional and multilocal, spanning rural and urban areas at the same time. The chapter focuses on changing rural-urban linkages in West Africa, notably on the trade in maize, yam, and cattle in Benin. Expanding flows between rural areas and urban outlets are analysed against the background of the livelihood strategies of traders, paying special attention to trade organization, networks, entry modes, and accumulation paths. Emphasis is placed on the role of social capital in these interactions. Bibliogr. [ASC Leiden abstract] Show less
L'étude présentée ici est une tentative de synthèse de différentes approches géographiques dans l'analyse des changements qui s'opèrent dans la province du Borgou au Nord-Bénin. Le projet de... Show moreL'étude présentée ici est une tentative de synthèse de différentes approches géographiques dans l'analyse des changements qui s'opèrent dans la province du Borgou au Nord-Bénin. Le projet de recherche, financé par la Commission de l'Union européenne, a été réalisé en 1992. Dans cette région, les genres de vie pastoral et agricole se sont transformés sous l'influence de l'État, du marché, mais aussi de la chute des précipitations. Cette problématique se retrouve dans presque toutes les régions semi-arides de l'Afrique occidentale où l'environnement détermine la zone de contact entre agriculture et élevage de transhumance. Au Nord-Bénin, les Bariba et les Dendi sont agriculteurs, et les Peul éleveurs. Les différentes formes de dégradation écologique, notamment des sols et de la végétation, sont étudiées et évaluées en fonction de l'utilisation des sols par les agriculteurs et les éleveurs, et en fonction des relations réciproques qu'entretiennent ces deux groupes. L'ouvrage se termine par des recommandations pour une utilisation plus durable de l'environnement. Show less
Compte-rendu d'un séminaire sur les recherches pour le développement d'une agriculture durable au Bénin qui s'est tenu le 9 septembre 1993 à Amsterdam.
