1.1 - Double Structure of Vulnerability
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Understanding External Vulnerabilities
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Today, we begin with the concept of external vulnerabilities, which are defined as exogenous variables. Can anyone explain what we mean by external variables?
Are they forces that are outside our control, like natural disasters or economic crises?
Exactly! External variables such as natural phenomena or economic shocks affect our exposure to risks. This is crucial in understanding the double structure of vulnerability. Remember, we can think of these as shocks or events that threaten our safety and livelihoods.
So, if I'm an outcast in my community, does that mean I'm more exposed to these shocks?
Yes, that's a great point! Social isolation contributes to greater vulnerability because it limits access to networks and resources that could help mitigate risks. Always keep in mind the notion of interconnectedness when thinking about vulnerability.
How do we measure exposure?
Bohle suggests we look at it from three dimensions: a human ecological perspective, entitlement theory, and political-economic analysis. Let's explore these approaches in our next session.
Internal Capacities to Cope
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Now that we understand exposure, let's focus on the internal capacities of individuals to cope with vulnerabilities. How do you think people can manage these external shocks?
I think it depends on having resources, like social networks or financial savings.
Absolutely! Access to resources indeed plays a significant role. Some theories like action theory highlight how individual and group actions respond to socio-economic constraints. This interplay defines how capable individuals are at mitigating their vulnerabilities.
So, if someone has strong social connections, they might be more resilient?
Exactly! Social capital—including trust and relationships—enables individuals to mobilize support during crises.
How do these concepts connect to overall development?
Good question! The sustainable livelihoods framework is a way of addressing these concepts. It recognizes that vulnerability affects people’s livelihood and their ability to endure shocks while also ensuring their livelihoods do not degrade others’ options.
The Sustainable Livelihood Framework
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Now let’s discuss the sustainable livelihood framework proposed by Robert Chambers and Conway. Why do you think this framework became popular in examining vulnerability?
Could it be because it emphasizes the role of people rather than just focusing on external disasters?
Exactly! The focus is on understanding how individuals maintain their livelihoods in the face of various shocks over time.
What sort of conditions make a livelihood sustainable?
A sustainable livelihood can withstand external shocks, isn't reliant on outside help, and it's conscious of not damaging others’ livelihoods. This holistic approach helps outline what truly affects people’s vulnerability.
How does this model address different groups?
By placing the people at the center, it allows us to analyze varying impacts based on social, economic, and political dynamics unique to each group. Therefore, policies driven from this perspective become more effective.
Context of Vulnerability
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Let’s dive deeper into the concept of vulnerability context. What are the three key characteristics that define this context?
They are shocks, trends, and seasonality, right?
Correct! Let’s start with shocks. Can anyone provide examples of natural or economic shocks?
Natural shocks could be things like floods or droughts. Economic shocks might include job loss or inflation.
Exactly, great examples! Now, how do trends, like population changes or economic growth, influence vulnerability?
If the population grows too fast, it might strain resources, making people more vulnerable.
Spot on! It's about maintaining balance! Lastly, how about seasonality?
Seasonal changes like crop prices can affect food security, making people vulnerable during lean periods.
Well done! Understanding these characteristics allows us to tailor responses to individuals' needs.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
The double structure of vulnerability comprises external factors (exogenous variables) that increase risk exposure and internal characteristics that affect coping mechanisms. The concept also integrates frameworks related to sustainable livelihoods, capacity theory, and social structures, indicating how they shape vulnerability.
Detailed
The double structure of vulnerability consists of two main components: exposure to hazardous external shocks and the internal coping capacities of individuals and communities. External factors can range from natural disasters to economic downturns, while internal factors include socio-economic statuses, social networks, and human capabilities. Bohle's framework presents three dimensions of understanding exposure: human ecological perspectives focusing on population dynamics, entitlement theories concentrating on economic means, and political-economic approaches examining inequalities. These insights are essential for understanding how different groups cope with vulnerabilities. The sustainable livelihood framework, which incorporates principles from traditional perspectives on poverty and development, centers individuals and their capacity to manage livelihoods under external pressures. Vulnerability is defined through contexts involving shocks, trends, and seasonal changes that affect access to resources. Understanding these frameworks helps stakeholders, such as policymakers and organizations, design strategies for better resilience against various risks.
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External Vulnerability and Exposure
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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.
Detailed Explanation
This chunk introduces the concept of external vulnerability, defined as factors beyond individual control, such as natural disasters or epidemics. These external variables contribute to one's exposure to risks and various shocks. For instance, if a person lives in an area prone to hurricanes, their vulnerability increases due to this external environmental factor.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine you live in a coastal town where hurricanes frequently occur. No matter how well you prepare, if a hurricane strikes, you face an external threat that you cannot control, increasing your vulnerability.
Social Structures and Increased Vulnerability
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It also defined the social and institutional structure, features of that one that also bring individuals in a particular exposure of threat and like if I am an outcast, I have less networks, it actually increase my exposure to a hazard, to a threat, to a risk.
Detailed Explanation
This section emphasizes the role of social and institutional structures in vulnerability. Individuals who lack social networks, such as outcasts, are more exposed to risks because their support systems are weak. Hence, social isolation can exacerbate vulnerability, making it harder for individuals to cope with or recover from threats.
Examples & Analogies
Consider someone in a neighborhood who is isolated and lacks friends or family support. If they face a crisis, such as losing their job, they might not have anyone to turn to for help, making them more vulnerable to economic and emotional hardships.
Three Dimensions of Exposure
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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. One is human ecological perspective, population dynamics, capacity to manage the environment, population growth, and how human ecology is looking at population growth and the capacity to manage the environment.
Detailed Explanation
Exposure can be analyzed through three dimensions, beginning with the human ecological perspective. This perspective considers how population dynamics, environmental management, and community structures influence exposure to risks. For example, increased population growth in a community may lead to resource overuse, escalating vulnerability to environmental disasters.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a city experiencing rapid population growth without adequate infrastructure. The strain on resources can lead to increased pollution and waste management issues, ultimately heightening the community's vulnerability to health crises and environmental hazards.
Entitlement and Political-Economic Approaches
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And also the entitlement theory, the capacity theory and that the people have for control and to get to secure the means of their economic needs. And also the political-economic approach like the question of inequalities or disparities of assets, the power structures. So, these issues, these approaches should be considered when we are talking about exposure.
Detailed Explanation
This chunk covers how entitlement theory and political-economics affect vulnerability. Entitlement theory explains how individuals secure resources; if they lack the means or relationships to access resources, their vulnerability increases. Additionally, disparities in resource distribution and power dynamics can elevate the risks faced by marginalized groups.
Examples & Analogies
Think about a low-income family living in a wealthy neighborhood. They might struggle to access quality healthcare or education due to financial constraints, leaving them at a greater risk during health crises or economic downturns compared to their wealthier neighbors.
Coping Mechanisms and Resource Access
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Well 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, how people act, react frequently as a result of social-economic and governmental constraints and model access to assets like a mitigation of vulnerability through access.
Detailed Explanation
To comprehend how individuals cope with vulnerability, we can look at studies on crisis and conflict. This perspective focuses on who has access to resources and how conflicts over resources may arise, shaping behaviors in vulnerable populations. Understanding these dynamics helps illuminate potential coping strategies employed by individuals under stress.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a community facing drought, leading to competition for limited water resources. Individuals must navigate their access to water, which may lead to tension between neighbors. Those with better access to resources can cope better, demonstrating the importance of asset distribution in vulnerability.
Sustainable Livelihood Framework
Chapter 6 of 6
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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 and which was now very regularly used in disaster risk and other risk management.
Detailed Explanation
The sustainable livelihood framework is a key concept in understanding vulnerability. Originally developed by Chambers and Conway in 1992, it focuses on how poverty and livelihood issues intersect with vulnerability. It emphasizes placing people at the center of development efforts and understanding how various shocks influence their ability to maintain livelihoods.
Examples & Analogies
Consider the case of farmers in a drought-prone area. If their livelihood strategies incorporate diverse crops that can withstand dry conditions, they are more likely to sustain their livelihood despite external shocks like drought, illustrating the essence of a sustainable livelihood approach.
Key Concepts
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Double Structure of Vulnerability: The interplay of exposure to external shocks and the internal capacities of individuals.
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Exposure: The degree to which individuals or communities are at risk from external events.
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Sustainable Livelihood Framework: A holistic approach that centers on individual capacity to withstand shocks and maintain livelihoods.
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Social Capital: The relationships and networks that aid individuals in coping with vulnerabilities.
Examples & Applications
After a natural disaster, communities with strong social ties often recover more quickly due to shared resources.
In economically deprived urban areas, individuals may struggle more against financial downturns due to lack of networks that provide support.
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
In the face of floods and quakes, with social networks, the earth no longer shakes.
Stories
Imagine a village after a storm. Those with strong ties rebuild quickly, sharing tools and emotional support, while isolated individuals struggle alone.
Memory Tools
Think of CAPE for understanding vulnerability: C for Capacity, A for Assets, P for Political context, E for Exposure.
Acronyms
V.E.S.T. - Vulnerability consists of Exposure, Social ties, and Trust.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- External Variables
Factors outside the control of individuals that impact their vulnerability, such as natural disasters or economic shocks.
- Vulnerability Context
The specific circumstances under which individuals or communities face risks from shocks, trends, and seasonality.
- Sustainable Livelihood Framework
An approach that emphasizes the importance of individual capacity to maintain livelihoods in the face of external pressures.
- Social Capital
The networks, relationships, and trust that enable individuals or groups to act together effectively.
- Shocks
Sudden events (natural, health-related, economic) that can increase vulnerability.
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