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A Century of Institutions and Ecology in East Africa’s Rangelands: Linking Institutional Robustness with the Ecological Resilience of Kenya’s Maasailand

In: Institutions and Sustainability

Author

Listed:
  • Esther Mwangi

    (Kennedy School of Government and the University Center for Environment, Harvard University, 503A Rubenstein Building)

  • Elinor Ostrom

    (Indiana University
    Arizona State University)

Abstract

In analyzing the interactions between institutions and ecology, it is useful to evaluate the robustness of the designed governance system and the resilience of the ecological system that together comprise a Social-Ecological System (SES). In this chapter, we will examine the patterns of interaction between ever-changing governance institutions related to the highly variable ecology of Eastern Africa extending in time from prior to the British colonial rule until early in this century. That will enable us to examine three questions: (1) Which of the institutions that have existed during this time are more robust and why? (2) How does institutional robustness influence ecosystem resilience? and (3) What assumptions can be made about human behavior and incentives in light of this sweep of human history? We find that the indigenous institutions of the Maasai people were the most robust of the set of institutions studied over time since pre-colonial days until contemporary times. And, these robust institutions were associated with a more resilient ecology.

Suggested Citation

  • Esther Mwangi & Elinor Ostrom, 2009. "A Century of Institutions and Ecology in East Africa’s Rangelands: Linking Institutional Robustness with the Ecological Resilience of Kenya’s Maasailand," Springer Books, in: Volker Beckmann & Martina Padmanabhan (ed.), Institutions and Sustainability, chapter 10, pages 195-222, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-1-4020-9690-7_10
    DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4020-9690-7_10
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    Cited by:

    1. Masuda, Yuta J. & Waterfield, Gina & Castilla, Carolina & Kang, Shiteng & Zhang, Wei, 2022. "Does balancing gender composition lead to more prosocial outcomes? Experimental evidence of equality in public goods and extraction games from rural Kenya," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).

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