Do Associations Support Authoritarian Rule? Tentative Answers from Algeria, Mozambique, and Vietnam

Whether associations help to democratise authoritarian rule or support those in power is a contested issue that so far lacks a cross-regional perspective. Drawing on relational sociology, this paper explores the impact of state power in Algeria, Mozambique, and Vietnam on associations and vice versa. We focus on decision-making in associations and on three policy areas - welfare policy concerning HIV/AIDS, economic policy concerning small and mediumsized enterprises, policies concerning gender equality and the rights of women and sexual minorities - to assess the relations between associations and the state's infrastructural and discursive power. Most associations interviewed by us in the three countries accept or do not openly reject the state's and/or the state ruling party's various forms of interference in internal decision-making processes. Whereas associations in Algeria and Vietnam help to maintain the state's control through welfare provision, associations in Mozambique can weaken this form of infrastructural state power. Moreover, business and professionals' associations in all three countries help maintain the state's control through limited participation, i.e. another form of infrastructural state power. Finally, associations in all three countries support the state's discourse and policies in the area of gender equality and women's rights, though in all three countries at least some NGOs help weaken this form of state power

Farming in cities: Potentials and challenges of urban agriculture in Maputo and Cape Town

In discussions on the future of the world’s cities, urban agriculture (UA) has garnered attention for its potential to contribute to the food supply, to income for urban producers, and to the multiple benefits of ‘green cities’. The research project UFISAMO analysed potentials and challenges of UA in Cape Town and Maputo. The role of UA for income generation and food & nutrition security depends strongly on the historical, political, economic and social context. Urban agriculture in Maputo is the main source of income for approx. 5% of the population, even if it does not even provide sufficient income to cover the monthly food basket for most producers. The cultivation of horticultural products furthermore contributes to a more balanced diet, mainly for the producing families themselves. Associations and extension officers provide a solid frame for UA in the city. Main challenges in Maputo are the uncontrolled application of pesticides as a consequence of mono-cropping patterns without adequate rotation. Supporting services should promote sustainable practices along GAP or organic practices. That requires the establishment of a market for such products. UA practised in the townships of Cape Town on small plots with sandy soils – and under regular water stress - plays a negligible role when it comes to income and food & nutrition security. This is partly due to weak market links within the townships and the difficult marketing routes to the city centre, which are usually organised by NGOs or ‘social businesses’. However, UA does provide income for some, and is a good platform for farmers’ self-organisation beyond township barriers. It can thus contribute to overcoming historical cleavages, and to real empowerment in communities struck by high unemployment and social tension. Supporting farmers business skills so that they can establish market links in their communities and encouraging their self-organisation are crucial measures to take by supporting bodies

Bauernfreunde? ; Bauernfeinde? Ueberlegungen zur 'Bauern-Staat'-Diskussion am Beispiel der Elfenbeinkueste

SIGLEUuStB Koeln(38)-890107157 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekDEGerman

Migration, Pflanzungsoekonomie und soziooekonomische Differenzierungsprozesse eine Fallstudie aus dem Suedwesten der Elfenbeinkueste

UuStB Koeln(38)-890107158 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman

Le cacao ne se bouffe pas: l'influence des cultures d'exportation sur les structures socio-economiques de l'agriculture traditionnelle: etude de cas dans le Centre-Ouest de la Cote d'Ivoire ; rapport preliminaire

SIGLEAvailable from Bibliothek des Instituts fuer Weltwirtschaft, ZBW, Duesternbrook Weg 120, D-24105 Kiel C 141391 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekDEGerman

Manual de Investigación para la Acción y la toma de Decisiones. IAD

Este documento contiene los conceptos, métodos y pasos que se requieren para aprender e implementar el enfoque investigativo denominado IAD. Este enfoque se define como un conjunto de pasos estructurados que permiten la realización de estudios investigativos orientados a la acción y la toma de decisiones. Este documento está compuesto por dos partes: un primer apartado que contiene un marco contextual, en el cual se recogen los antecedentes y justificación del enfoque, así como su definición y características esenciales. Un segundo apartado que expone secuencialmente diez pasos que orientan la preparación, ejecución y finalización de investigaciones interdisciplinares con enfoque IA