Vulnerability and Translocality: Why Livelihoods Become Translocal

Abstract

In this chapter, we further elaborate the concept of translocal livelihoods to establish a basis for answering the following questions: Why does the translocalization of livelihood systems in Africa occur? And to what extent does the translocalization of livelihoods relate to different degrees of vulnerability? A model of translocality is introduced. Based on Anthony Giddens’ idea of “structuration”, it enables us to analyze translocal action and scrutinize the significance of such action for the structuration of the translocal. The model thus provides an analytical framework for answering the questions of (a) how different aspects of translocal strategic action contribute to the formation and reproduction of translocal structures and (b) how translocal social linkages affect the embedded actors’ livelihood strategies (Sects. 4.1 and 4.2). In the Sects. 4.2.1, 4.2.2 and 4.2.3 three important types of strategies— economic diversification, migration and social networking —are each be examined in terms of vulnerability and translocality.