1.1. Double Structure of Vulnerability

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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