More than Legitimacy: Local Governance and Variation in Human Development in Post-War Guatemala

Abstract

How do variations in state–society relations affect development outcomes locally? Specifically, do local, non-state actors and informal institutions, including indigenous elders and traditional authorities, complement the work of the formal local authorities, or compete with them, with observable implications for long-term human development? This paper focuses on Guatemala, where despite nearly two decades having passed since the end of its civil war, and significant external statebuilding, governance and financial assistance, the country remains stricken with widespread poverty and crime. Most apparent in the Guatemala case is the well-documented disparity in living conditions between the capital region surrounding Guatemala City, and rural regions. Even within impoverished regions, however, there is unexplained variability in development outcomes across sub-regions and communities. Drawing from within-country case studies, the paper argues that qualitative differences in state–society relations at the community level — including the degree to which local indigenous leaders or other non-state actors either compete with or complement local formal authorities — have a direct bearing on development outcomes as indicated by human development indicators, and by demonstrated commitment to development programmes from formal authorities.