State Authority in Pakistan

State Authority in Pakistan

Trust in State Authorities versus Non-State Actors

Our research explores the determinants of
trust in state institutions and how perceptions
of state effectiveness determine a citizen's
engagement with state versus non-state actors.

Our research explores the determinants of
trust in state institutions and how perceptions
of state effectiveness determine a citizen's
engagement with state versus non-state actors.

A Vicious Circle

The ability of the state to embolden citizen trust in its authority and maintain the social compact with its citizens remains a challenge in many emerging economies. Areas where state control is weak and where non-state actors provide services that undermine the legitimacy of the state are particularly susceptible to shifts away from state authority. In places like Pakistan, declining allegiance to state institutions may be shifting citizens' allegiance to non-state actors. As state institutions are weakened, state failure becomes more likely. This encourages non-state actors to play a more important role and further undermine state institutions.

Our Research

Our research explores the determinants of trust in state institutions and how perceptions of state effectiveness determine a citizen's engagement with state versus non-state actors. We seek to understand whether positive engagement can revitalize a citizen’s sense of trust in the state, and which forms of positive engagement are most effective. 

We find that providing information about reduced delays in state courts leads to citizens reporting higher willingness to use state courts. More interestingly, we find indirect effects on non-state actors. After receiving state positive information, respondents report lower likelihood of using non-state institutions. These results indicate that, despite substantial distrust of the state in Pakistan, credible new information can change beliefs and behavior. The feedback loop between state ineffectiveness and the legitimacy of non-state actors may be reversible.

Academic Papers

Trust in State and Non-State Actors: Evidence from Dispute Resolution in Pakistan (with D. Acemoglu, A. Cheema and J. Robinson) forthcoming, Journal of Political Economy, 2019.

Policy Briefs

J-PAL Policy Brief: "Trust in State Authorities and Non-State Actors in Pakistan

 


 

Primary Investigators
Asim I. Khwaja
Daron Acemoglu
James Robinson
Ali Cheema

 

This Research is Supported by the:
Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab’s (J-PAL's) Governance Initiative
Weatherhead Center for International Affairs
Roy and Lila Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation
South Asia Institute at Harvard University