1.3. Coping Characteristics and Access to Assets

On the other hand, we have external one which we cannot less control, is an exogenous variable. What are they? External variables is considered in this double structure of vulnerability as exposure. So, exposure to what, some shock or some events like it depends on what kind of shocks, is it natural phenomena or some epidemics or not merely a kind of special exposure but how defenseless like I am for that one.

Vulnerability can be influenced by both internal and external factors. Here, external variables are referred to as exogenous variables, meaning they originate outside an individual's control. These exogenous factors increase an individual's exposure to risks and shocks, such as natural disasters or health crises. Essentially, vulnerability is a product of one's environment and circumstances beyond personal influence.

Imagine living in a coastal town prone to hurricanes. The community's vulnerability increases because of external factors like the likelihood of storms (the shocks) and the town's preparation and resilience (the internal factors). If the community has poor infrastructure or lacks access to proper shelters, their vulnerability is higher.

So, double structure of vulnerability, two components; one is the exposure one and this exposure one according to Bohle that we can understand this exposure context from 3 different dimensions...

Bohle's framework for understanding exposure includes three perspectives: human ecological perspective, which examines how population dynamics and environmental management affect vulnerability; entitlement theory, which focuses on individuals' capabilities to secure their economic needs; and a political-economic approach that analyzes inequalities and disparities in asset distribution. These components help in analyzing how various factors contribute to an individual's vulnerability and their capacity to cope with stressors.

Consider a farmer facing droughts. From a human ecological perspective, if the population nearby is growing too much, it means more competition for limited water resources. From entitlement theory, if the farmer can secure access to irrigation, their vulnerability decreases. Political-economic aspects may also illustrate that if wealth is concentrated in a few hands, the farmer may struggle more than a wealthier neighbor.

To understand people's coping, we can also borrow the ideas from crisis and conflict kind of studies, who have the access to assets and resources and how it matter of conflict between individuals and groups or maybe sometimes action theory approaches...

When analyzing how individuals cope with vulnerability, it is essential to examine access to assets and resources. Crises often reveal conflicts over these resources, which can affect how different groups respond to stressors. Action theory offers insight into how people's behaviors and responses are shaped by their socio-economic conditions and constraints when accessing these resources. A systemic understanding helps to identify how individuals with limited resources may struggle to build resilience.

Consider two neighboring communities after a flood. One community has robust networks and access to funding to rebuild quickly, while another lacks resources and social cohesion. The first community can implement strategies to cope and recover, whereas the second struggles due to limited access, highlighting the importance of resources in coping mechanisms.

There is another more prominent and very popular conceptual idea of vulnerability is the sustainable livelihood framework. It is not really on vulnerability, but they are one of the pioneering approach that define and quoted the vulnerability...

The sustainable livelihood framework, developed by Robert Chambers and Conway in 1992, focuses on the relationship between poverty, vulnerability, and livelihoods. It emphasizes that vulnerability arises from shocks and trends that affect people's ability to maintain their livelihoods. A sustainable livelihood is characterized by resilience to external shocks and a degree of self-sufficiency without dependence on outside aid.

Think of a village where the farmers adopt sustainable practices like crop rotation and organic farming. These practices build resilience to market fluctuations (economic shocks) and environmental changes (such as drought), allowing farmers to maintain their livelihoods even in adverse conditions.

So vulnerability context is defined with 3 characteristics that people are at vulnerable because shock, trends, and seasonality...

Vulnerability is shaped by three key characteristics: shocks (sudden events like natural disasters or health crises), trends (long-term changes like population growth), and seasonality (seasonal fluctuations in food prices or employment opportunities). These factors must be understood collectively to grasp how they influence people's vulnerability and coping mechanisms.

Imagine a farmer whose livelihood depends on seasonal crops. They may experience shocks from droughts or floods each year (shocks), face an increase in population demand on food resources over time (trends), and have variable incomes based on planting seasons (seasonality). Understanding these aspects helps the farmer prepare better for the future.

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