Social security in developing countries : operation and dynamics of social security mechanisms in rural Swaziland

This study, which is based on field research carried out in Swaziland from October 1989 to December 1990, starts with an introductory chapter followed by three theoretical chapters on social security in developing countries. The content of these chapters is illustrated with an extensive case study of Swaziland. Ch. 5 gives a brief profile of the Kingdom of Swaziland. Ch. 6 analyses the Swazi rural homestead, which is considered as one of the most important social security mechanisms in the country. In ch. 7 and 8 other important 'informal' social security mechanisms in the rural areas of Swaziland are discussed, such as kinship relations, neighbourliness, associations, and chiefdom. In ch. 9 the actual operation of these social security mechanisms is further illustrated by analysing their role for the Swazi individual, in particular in the event of three major contingencies: old age, illness and death. The final chapter summarizes the findings of the study