Arts & Culture
Decline of Reciprocal Exchange Systems in Post-Soviet Pastoral Communities of Mongolia
Quick fact
After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Mongolia's herders lost guaranteed state markets and subsidies. As they turned to market-based sales, the traditional practice of giving away livestock to needy relatives—'one household, one sheep'—began to decline, undermining social cohesion.
Why this is interesting
You've probably heard of the Mongolian herder, but did you know that in the harsh steppe, survival used to depend on a simple rule: if your neighbor loses their herd, you give them one of your sheep. Now, that age-old safety net is unraveling—why?