Factors Affecting Political Regulation and Authority Structures Among the Pastoralists, Essay Example

Pastoralists are a group of people who make a living through rearing of domesticated animals. They are known to move from one place to another in search of pasture and water due to harsh climatic conditions in their settlement areas. A number of factors facing them have affected their development of political regulation and authority structures.

Continued dispersal and migration has stressed their social fabric leading to weak association networks. This has substantially decreased their chances of pulling together politically and addressing their issues nationally. It has also destabilized authority structures making patriarchy a main source of authority. These movements caused by drought, famine and civil wars have led to low population, which is an integral aspect of politics and authority.

Marginalization has also affected social and political structures of pastoralist. Remoteness and isolation compounded with poverty and insecurity have made them live in tribal groupings with disregard of state borders and law. Political development hampered by the existence of tribal rival political hierarchies with each tribe isolating it. Their resistance of state and taxation has contributed to slow development in political and authority cycles.

Internal and external conflicts in pastoralists’ zones have been detrimental to this group of people. The area is prone to insecurity caused by animal theft, competition for resources and political rebellion that causes these conflicts. Peace, the necessary ingredient for development becomes unavailable due to such events thus slows down development.

Law development, adverse climatic conditions, inadequate resources and production, as well as poor education and medical infrastructure have contributed negatively to development in pastoralist areas. Political regulation and authority structures cannot flourish with such negating factors. These have led to stagnating development and abject poverty witnessed in the communities.

It is notable that authority structures in these zones are stronger on the local government level. Decentralization has relatively offered local autonomy, which help improve social structures. States’ intervention on the pastoralist communities will help improve the development of political regulation and authority structures in their areas.