Critical Transitions from Pastoralism to Ranching in Central Africa

The goal of this paper is to explain why and how increasing commoditization incorporation in the market economy are only now leading a critical transition from pastoralism ranching Central Africa. While there similarities between capitalism—in both systems, entrepreneurs strategically maximizing their “stock”—there also differences. We argue that these differences can be understood as two distinct types logic embedded within larger sociocultural systems: cattle capital logic. Understanding logics operate different systems for explaining current shift outline theoretical model integrates concepts practice theory literature on transitions social-ecological shift. illustrate using case comparison three livestock husbandry Wo?aa?e pastoralists southeastern Niger, peri-urban Fulani Far North Region Cameroon, ranchers Adamawa Cameroon. then use cases persistence among well Studying important because it has major implications, including economic inequality, weaker community relations, potential degradation grazing lands,