State-society relations and citizenship

Civic trust and socio-political cohesion: overview

Social and political fragmentation and weak civic and inter-group trust are often characteristics of situations of fragility and violent conflict. Such divisions can contribute to and be an outcome of fragility and conflict. In situations of fragility, political identity, fragmentation and weak state institutions reinforce each other. They undermine state legitimacy and the formation of strong nation-wide governance systems; weaken interpersonal trust; and divide citizens. In situations of violent conflict, processes of ‘othering’ and dehumanisation destroy social relations and networks and leave a legacy of deep mistrust and fear of others. Persistent divisions in the aftermath of conflict result in an unstable peace and the possibility of renewed violence.

Weak social cohesion and distrust also impact negatively on perceptions of political community and on civic action. People are reluctant to engage with the ‘other’, hindering the development of civic engagement and collective action. In addition, fear and insecurity and feelings of powerlessness and marginalisation from conflict can also weaken a sense of individual civic agency. Where the state is involved in violence and repression, whether as a perpetrator, by active complicity or passive omission, such sentiments can be more pronounced.

In addition to withdrawing from citizenship, citizens may also respond to or cope with violence by establishing parallel governance or security structures. These can further weaken the legitimacy of state institutions and exacerbate inter-group divisions where such parallel structures cater solely to specific groups.

It is important for statebuilding and peacebuilding efforts to take into account and to understand the role of state weakness and state and private violence in limiting civic agency and undermining socio-political cohesion. Efforts are needed to ensure that citizens can relate to each other in civil or non-violent ways and to foster a national identity that transcends divisions.

Kaplan, S., 2009, ‘Identity in Fragile States: Social Cohesion and State building’, Development, vol. 52, no. 4, pp. 466-472
What role does identity play in determining a state's robustness? This article argues that the relationship between identities, institutions, social cohesion and state legitimacy is critical to understanding social and political progress in fragile states. States that lack a common identity will fail to progress. International actors should support fragile states to develop their own development and state-building strategies, and build on their own capacities for good governance.
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Pearce, J., 2007, 'Violence, Power and Participation: Building Citizenship in Contexts of Chronic Violence', IDS Working Paper, no. 274, Institute of Development Studies, Brighton
Can civil society organisations play a role in building citizenship and confronting violent actors and acts of violence? This paper argues that they can, and explores civil society participation in Colombia and Guatemala. Building citizenship in chronic violence contexts requires simultaneous attention to citizenship and to violence, and it is also important to clarify the relationship between power and violence.
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See also: Pearce, J. and McGee, R., eds., 2009, ‘Violence, Social Action and Research’, IDS Bulletin, vol. 40, no. 3, Institute of Development Studies, Brighton

Development Research Centre on Citizenship, Participation and Accountability, 2011, 'Blurring the Boundaries: Citizen Action Across States and Societies', Development Research Centre on Citizenship, Participation and Accountability, Institute of Development Studies, Brighton
This report synthesises the findings of ten years of research from the Development Resource Centre on Citizenship, Participation and Accountability. Findings suggest that governments often become more capable, accountable and responsive when state-led reform to strengthen institutions of accountability and social mobilisation occur simultaneously. Further, change happens not just through strategies that work on both sides of the governance supply and demand equation, but also through strategies that work across them: it is important to link champions of change from both state and society.
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Montanaro, L., 2009, ‘The Kosovo Statebuilding Conundrum: Addressing Fragility in a Contested State’, Fundación para las Relaciones Internacionales y el Diálogo Exterior (FRIDE), Madrid
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Additional resources

See further discussion and resources in Chapter 1 (Understanding Violent Conflict) of the Conflict topic guide, on:

• social fragmentation
• identity politics

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