Reconciling Africa's fragmented institutions of governance : a new approach to institution building; final technical report
Date
2011-09
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), Pretoria, ZA
Abstract
The study investigates the structural characteristics of traditional authority systems, and assesses the extent to which African populations rely on traditional institutions. Traditional institutions have a high trust level among communities in part because their decision-making systems are participatory, and conflict resolution mechanisms are primarily aimed at reconciling parties in conflict rather than punishment. Members of communities adhere to them for reasons such as shared cultural and historical roots, low transaction costs in their usage, inaccessibility of weak state institutions such as judicial services, and the success rate of traditional institutions.
Description
item.page.type
Final Technical Report
item.page.format
Keywords
GOVERNANCE, JUDICIAL SYSTEMS, DEMOCRATIZATION, INSTITUTION BUILDING, TRADITIONAL PRACTICES, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, LITERATURE REVIEW, ETHIOPIA, KENYA, SOMALILAND, SOUTH AFRICA, SOUTH OF SAHARA