Peru's Rural Areas in a Period of Transition. Studying Livelihoods in the Sierra de Piura

The purpose of this paper is to show the factors that contribute to social vulnerability as well as identify ways that can help reduce its level, and prevent crises and tensions arising from the lack of solid foundations for the development (modes of livelihood). The area under investigation is Peru. Due to a very large diversity of the natural environment of the Peruvian Andes and strong ethnic and class divisions of the population, it seems to be an excellent laboratory for carrying out this study. Formulated on the basis of preliminary studies, the thesis shows a huge potential of the local communities to overcome the adverse developmental conditions. The disregard of the central and provincial authorities, lack of infrastructure, and problems arising from changing environmental conditions have not pushed people out from that region to urban areas; although, lack of the way out of crisis and weakness discourages many people from taking more radical action to improve their situation and support to the local development.