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On the Origins of Direct Rule: Armed Groups and Customary Chiefs in Eastern Congo

Author

Listed:
  • Soeren J. Henn
  • Gauthier Marchais
  • Christian Mastaki Mugaruka
  • Raúl Sánchez de la Sierra

Abstract

Armed groups routinely delegate domains of rule to village customary chiefs—indirect rule. The larger a chief’s power over the villagers relative to the group’s, the more there is indirect rule. Over time, enabled by the chief’s efforts to legitimize the group, the group expands the taxes they collect themselves in addition to those collected by the chief for them and substitutes the chief for justice administration—converging to direct rule. This suggests indirect rule is a temporary arrangement by uninformed or illegitimate rulers with an inherent agency problem, overcome when rulers acquire enough skill to replace pre-existing political authorities.

Suggested Citation

  • Soeren J. Henn & Gauthier Marchais & Christian Mastaki Mugaruka & Raúl Sánchez de la Sierra, 2024. "On the Origins of Direct Rule: Armed Groups and Customary Chiefs in Eastern Congo," NBER Working Papers 32722, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:32722
    Note: DEV IO PE POL
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements
    • P00 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - General - - - General

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