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1Datum Autor/Institution/E-Mail
Introduction to the Theory of HES
Cultural Studies
Prof. Dr. Klaus Seeland, M.A.
© ETH Zürich | Taskforce Kommunikation
2Datum Autor/Institution/E-Mail
Introduction to the Theory of HES
Cultural Studies (22 & 29 September)Cultural perspectives on Human Enviroment systems in
the Himalayan Ecosystem
Three Theoretical topics (22 September):- Vertical structures of decision making with regard to ethnicity,
environment and religion
- Highland – lowland interaction in the wider Himalayan context
- Migration as strategy selection in environmental decision making
Case Study (29 September)
3Datum Autor/Institution/E-Mail
Introduction to the Theory of HES
4Datum Autor/Institution/E-Mail
Introduction to the Theory of HES
Cell
Organ
Individual / Family / Clan
Ethnic groups / castes
Societal interest groups
Supranational system
5Datum Autor/Institution/E-Mail
Introduction to the Theory of HES
Vertical structures of decision making with regard to ethnicity, environment and religion
- multiple layers of decision making affecting each other without co-ordination due to ethnical or caste preferences
- vertically structured land use is related to ritual purity and caste status (religion)
- decision making is hierarchical with regard to local social status and power
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Introduction to the Theory of HES
Highland – lowland interaction in the wider Himalayan context
Transhimalayan tradeTranshumance Agro-Ecosystems (livestock herding-cum-trading
of commodities)Vertical impact of irrigation structures (terraces, canals, rain-fed
and shifting cultivation)Subsistence economy, outbound employment and back-migration
7Datum Autor/Institution/E-Mail
Introduction to the Theory of HES
Migration as strategy selection in environmental decision making
• Immigration and emigration in the Himalayas a continuos process over centuries (social status reverse to altitude and supported by ethnic ties and caste)
• Demographic elasticity as tool of sustainable land use in the Himalayan hills and alpine regions
• Migration not limited by national borders (stay – leave & come back patterns prevail in the Central Himalayas)
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Introduction to the Theory of HES
Working group assignments:
1. How are vertical structures of mountain environments and decision
making related to each other with regard to ethnicity and religion?
2. How important is highland – lowland interaction in the vertically
structured wider Himalayan land use context?
3. In what way is migration a strategy selection in environmental decision
making in a vertically structured mountain environment?
9Datum Autor/Institution/E-Mail
Cultural differences (cd) in HES
Cd are represented in habitats (J. Steward)
Cd regarding dietary habits and prescriptions
Cd are visible in distinct land use, land tenure
and patterns of interaction between cultures
Theory of „Patterns of Culture“ (R. Benedict)
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Synthesis Lecture – Cultural Perspective
HES make an integrated whole – there is no
„interaction“ in the strict sense except
interventions from outside the HES
Regulatory mechanisms and primary &
secondary feedback loops are becoming more &
more relevant in future as they have to cope with
social change
19Datum Autor/Institution/E-Mail
Synthesis Lecture – Cultural Perspective
Examples of regulatory mechanisms:
- Absentism and elasticity of the local system- Immigration and emmigration- Remittance based local economies- Increased verticality - Transhumance and long distance trading- Adapted marriage pattern (e.g. polyandry)