THE SOCIAL LIFE OF LIVESTOCK: POWER, CULTURE, AND ECONOMY

Abstract

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. We present "The Social Life of Livestock: Power, Culture, and Economy" as a comprehensive exploration of how livestock systems are fundamentally shaped by human societies. This book argues that understanding contemporary livestock challenges requires examining three inseparable dimensions: power relations that govern resource access and decision-making, cultural values that define practices and meanings, and economic forces that drive production and distribution.

Livestock are not merely biological assets but social actors embedded in complex webs of human relationships. Through systematic integration of sociology, political science, economics, and research methodology, this book provides frameworks for mapping livestock systems as socio-technical entities where biological processes intersect with social structures, political institutions, and market dynamics. Each chapter reveals how power shapes governance, how culture defines practices, and how economic principles guide resource allocation demonstrating that technical interventions succeed or fail based on their alignment with these social realities.

Drawing extensively on examples from Indonesia and developing contexts, we bridge theoretical rigor with practical relevance. This work serves students, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers seeking to understand and transform livestock systems through evidence-based, ethically grounded approaches. Our interdisciplinary methodology equips readers with both analytical tools and practical wisdom to navigate the complexities of sustainable livestock development.

May this exploration of livestock's social life advance agricultural systems that are productive, equitable, and sustainable for both people and planet.