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