A Nested Mixed-Methods Approach to Armed Non-State Actor Governance and the Rule of Law
Abstract
Why do systems of governance by armed non-state actors emerge and why do they persist? How do these systems of rule differ from those maintained by formal state entities in the region where they operate? In particular, what are the factors and conditions that promote the delivery of governance powers into the hands of non-state actors? This project proposes a three-year research program that seeks to understand when and how non-state actors become the predominant providers of governance to populations in a given territory and the circumstances under which such non-state actorsÕ governance accrues legitimacy. To understand this process, this project will combine event data analysis, qualitative fieldwork, and survey experiments in two countries to explain the conditions that contribute to the emergence and the dynamics of non-state actor structures and their governance activities. The event data analysis will provide fine-grained information about the origin and extent of territorial presence, the behavior of non-state actors as they provide governance, as well as the factors that explain their choices. Based on the insights of the event data analysis, we will conduct fieldwork to compare similar municipalities, some of which recently have been or are currently dominated by non-state actor governance structures, and others governed by the officially recognized state. By systematically comparing sites with current or prior non-state governance with those with ongoing state governance we will develop a deeper understanding of the factors that favor the establishment of non-state actor governance systems. Finally, we will use public opinion surveys to analyze peopleÕs attitudes towards state and non-state governance structures and assess the degree of legitimacy each enjoys. Through the integration of these methods, this multi-level nested approach will identify the main trends of governance structures over time and across space, specify historical processes and governance deployment mechanisms associated with particular non-state actors, and provide insights into non-state actorsÕ legitimacy and resilience. This study will draw on data from Afghanistan and Colombia to examine non-state actor governance processes. Both cases feature multiple non-state actors that vary in how they provide and enable governance and the degree to which they seek to rule through various mixes of public goods provision and intimidation. These cases also feature a multitude of state and non-state actors that vary in their capacity and motivation to deliver governance. This project expects to provide a model to explain non-state actorsÕ activities in territories where the state is weak or absent, either due to civil conflict or state incapacity. The event data section of this project will show the relationship between certain types of events and the emergence of different degrees of non-state actor governance. The fieldwork will provide insights into dynamics that drive non-state actor governance and establish causality between non-state actor governance activities and their accrual of legitimacy. The survey will provide data on the experience of governance in populations affected by non-state actor governance and give us a more reliable picture of the relative popular support of various forms of non-state actor and state governance. The Department of Defense is frequently called on to respond to crisis situations where non-state actors lead some sub-national governance structures, as has been the case in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia. The DoD is often called on to operate in partnership with local governments in areas where non-state actors play governance roles. Our research focuses on understanding how and when non-state actors become part of governance structures and develop legitimacy. This information would help inform policymakers as they assess which non-state actors contribute to governance crises and which ones do not.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 18, 2018
- Source ID
- W911NF1710569
Entities
People
- Enrique Arias
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- George Mason University
- United States Army