This book discusses migration and space-spanning social network relationships as normal realities of life in African societies. It offers an overview of the research landscape and introduces an agency-centered theoretical model that provides a conceptual framework for translocality. The authors Malte Steinbrink and Hannah Niedenführ plead for a translocal approach to social transformation, showing how the translocality of livelihoods is shaping the lives of half a billion people on the continent and impacting local conditions. Using an action-oriented approach, the book analyzes the effects of translocal livelihoods on diverse aspects of economic, environmental and social change in rural Sub-Saharan Africa. The study thus makes an innovative contribution not only to migration research and development studies but also to the discussion around the policy and practice of development cooperation and planning. It is time to rethink development in light of translocal realities. The book appeals to scholars and researchers in geography, sociology, policy-making and planning, development studies, migration research and rural development.

Focuses on the effects of translocality on different processes of rural structural change Offers novel scientific insights and findings that are highly relevant for policy and planning Offers an agency-centered theoretical model that provides a consistent conceptual framework for translocality Includes processes on the effects of translocality for policy making and planning

Inhalt
Introduction.- Time for a Rethink.- Translocal Livelihoods New Perspectives on Livelihood Research.- Vulnerability and Translocality: Why Livelihoods become Translocal.- Translocal Livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa.- Influence of Translocal Livelihoods on Aspects of Rural Structural Transformation.- Conclusion.