26. Juni 2024. Monica Prasad: The Paradox of Incorporation

A Theory of Contemporary State-Building Preisverleihung und Landshut Lecture Contemporary state-building depends on the incremental evolution of the relationship between the state and non-state groups, but recent research ignores how the interaction of state and non-state groups affects the evolution of both. One important reason for the durability of non-state groups is the »noncontractual elements of contract,« that is, the social factors that must be in place for political mechanisms to function. I argue that if the state ignores or merely tolerates non-state groups, non-state groups can actually be strengthened. Paradoxically, embracing non-state groups as part of the formal state can – in some circumstances – both strengthen the formal state, and weaken the non-state group, because (1) the state can borrow the legitimacy of the non-state group and use it to create conditions for economic development which weakens constituents’ material dependence on non-state groups, and (2) becoming too close to the state can undermine non-state actors‘ legitimacy. The theory is illustrated with primary research on Somaliland and secondary research on other contexts of both successful and failed hybrid governance. Grußwort: Senator Dr. Carsten Brosda, Behörde für Kultur und Medien der Freien und Hansestadt Hamburg Begrüßung und Laudatio: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Knöbl, Direktor des Hamburger Instituts für Sozialforschung