Subsistence

Definition

Subsistence refers to the means by which individuals or communities obtain the basic necessities for survival, such as food, water, and shelter. It encompasses the various strategies and activities employed to secure these fundamental resources.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Subsistence strategies are shaped by the environmental and cultural factors of a particular region or community.
2. Subsistence economies are often contrasted with market economies, where goods and services are primarily produced for exchange rather than personal consumption.
3. Subsistence activities can involve a combination of foraging, horticulture, pastoralism, and other methods to ensure a reliable and diverse food supply.
4. The shift from subsistence-based economies to more market-oriented economies is often associated with the process of economic development and modernization.
5. Maintaining traditional subsistence practices can be crucial for the cultural identity and self-sufficiency of indigenous and rural communities.

Review Questions

• Explain how subsistence strategies are influenced by the environmental and cultural factors of a particular region or community.
  • The subsistence strategies employed by a community are heavily influenced by the environmental conditions and cultural traditions of the region in which they live. For example, communities in resource-rich environments may rely more on foraging and hunting, while those in less fertile areas may focus on pastoralism or small-scale horticulture. Similarly, cultural values, beliefs, and practices shape the specific subsistence activities and the ways in which resources are obtained, utilized, and shared within a community.
• Describe the key differences between subsistence-based economies and market-oriented economies.
  • Subsistence-based economies are primarily focused on securing the basic necessities for survival, such as food, water, and shelter, through direct production and consumption. In contrast, market-oriented economies are characterized by the production of goods and services for exchange, often through complex systems of trade, specialization, and the use of currency. The shift from subsistence-based to market-oriented economies is often associated with economic development and the integration of communities into larger regional or global economic systems, which can have significant social, cultural, and environmental impacts.
• Analyze the importance of maintaining traditional subsistence practices for the cultural identity and self-sufficiency of indigenous and rural communities.
  • Preserving traditional subsistence practices is crucial for the cultural identity and self-sufficiency of many indigenous and rural communities around the world. These practices are often deeply rooted in the history, knowledge, and values of a community, and they play a central role in shaping their worldview, social structures, and relationship with the natural environment. By maintaining subsistence activities such as foraging, horticulture, or pastoralism, these communities can ensure their continued access to essential resources, while also passing on traditional ecological knowledge and strengthening their cultural continuity. The loss of these practices can lead to a erosion of cultural identity, increased dependence on external systems, and the disruption of sustainable resource management strategies that have been developed over generations.

Related terms

Foraging:

The act of searching for and collecting wild food resources, including hunting, fishing, and gathering.

Horticulture:

A form of agriculture that involves the cultivation of gardens and small-scale farming of crops, often using simple tools and techniques.

Pastoralism:

A subsistence strategy that relies on the herding and management of domesticated animals, such as cattle, sheep, or goats, for food, fiber, and other resources.