FöRFATTARE
Thorson, Patrik Kristoffer

INSTITUTION
Industriell ekonomi och samhällsvetenskap / Samhällsvetenskap

SAMMANFATTNING
Through this paper, two cases of land dispute resolution have been introduced. While one case was regarded as a ”good” dispute resolution the other was considered a “bad” one, and the latter was in its essence a rather tragic story. The less fortunate man in that dispute resolution did not only lose part of the land that supported him, but it also left him excluded from the community in many aspects. This constitutes the problem that has driven the paper from sheet to sheet. If not the fate of this specific individual, then at least the phenomenon it represents. During the last few years, behavioral aspects have shed new light on the ever so common condition of poverty in sub-Saharan Africa, and in these aspects the phenomenon of social exclusion plays an important role. This paper has been an approach towards these matters from a perspective of political behavior and resource distribution. In an attempt to explain differences in legitimacy and social outcomes, the institutional profiles of the two dispute resolution processes were examined. The findings indicated multi-dimensional breaches of legitimacy, all related to a decision by the less fortunate dispute owner in the ”bad” dispute resolution to take matters to the government. The analysis found that the micro-level arena of resource distribution was intimately tied to a macro-arena of authoritative distribution between the governmental authorities and the traditional ones found in this peripheral community. Combined with the institutional analysis performed, this supports the hypothetical involvement of a meta-norm, intended to protect the traditional authorities from alternative ones, such as the government. Perhaps leaving more questions than it actually answered, this paper may inspire to further endeavors in fields of governmental decentralization, as such work would probably be the most fruitful way to mend the gap between governmental and traditional authorities. Furthermore, this paper might direct some attention to the importance of institutional research regarding meta-norms, since this could provide a viable approach for political scientists to study the urgent matter of behavioral poverty in sub-Saharan Africa.

ISSN 1402-1773 / ISRN LTU-CUPP--09/045--SE / NR 2009:045