Effective Governance Under Anarchy
Institutions, Legitimacy, and Social Trust in Areas of Limited Statehood

Democratic and consolidated states are taken as the model for effective rule-making and service provision. In contrast, this book argues that good governance is possible even without a functioning state.

Tanja A. Börzel (Author), Thomas Risse (Author)

9781316635049, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 8 April 2021

380 pages
22.9 x 15.1 x 2.2 cm, 0.56 kg

'Since the 1990s, the international community has pursued statebuilding as the solution to the problem of fragile states. Borzel and Risse challenge this focus and demonstrate that non-state governance is not only possible but can be effective when would-be governors are competent, legitimate, and trusted. Governance Under Anarchy? is a pathbreaking book that brings insights from the literature on heterogeneous global governance to the question of 'domestic' governance.' David A. Lake, Gerri-Ann and Gary E. Jacobs Professor of Social Science, University of California, San Diego

Policy makers and academics alike have mistakenly promoted an agenda which takes well-governed democratic and consolidated 'Weberian' states as the model for the world and the goal of development programs. Whilst Western industrial democracies are the exception, areas of limited statehood where state institutions are weak and ineffective, are everywhere, and, this books argues, can still be well-governed. Three factors explain effective governance in areas of limited statehood: Fair and transparent institutions 'fit for purpose,' legitimate governors accepted by the people, and social trust among the citizens. Effective and legitimate governance in the absence of a functioning state is not only provided by international organizations, foreign aid agencies, and non-governmental organizations but also by multi-national companies, rebel groups and other violent non-state actors, 'traditional' as well as religious leaders, and community-based organizations. Börzel and Risse base their argument on empirical findings from over a decade of research covering Latin America, the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia.

1. Introduction: the world is not Denmark!
Part I. Setting the Stage: Concepts and Theories: 2. Areas of limited statehood and governance: concepts and measurements
3. Theorizing governance in areas of limited statehood
Part II. Governance in Areas of Limited Statehood: Empirical Evidence: 4. Who, why, and how? actors and modes of governance
5. Security
6. Human rights, rule of law, and democracy
7. Welfare
8. Conclusions
9. References.

Subject Areas: Economic growth [KCG], International relations [JPS], Central government policies [JPQB], Public administration [JPP], Comparative politics [JPB], Political science & theory [JPA], Politics & government [JP]