Pastoralism: A Way Forward or Back?

Perceptions and experiences differ widely in the world of pastoralism. The case studies presented in this volume provide fieldwork-based insights and evidence from a widespread area between the Pamirs, Tien Shan, Hindukush, Karakoram, Himalaya and the Tibetan Plateau. More important than the ecological breadth and spread of environmental properties and changes seem to be the societal embed-dedness of pastoralism, the politico-economic framework and the understanding of 'modernisation'. The debate on the 'tragedy of the commons' seems to have devel-oped through a supposed 'drama of the commons' to an institutional 'tragedy of responsibility' under similar pretexts as in the early stages. Norms and viewpoints govern judgements about actors and victims in relation to their pastoral practices.