Social contracts, networks and security in tropical Africa conflict states: an overview

This paper shows that assumptions derived from the classical social contract theorists frequently lead the international community astray as it attempts to rebuild a number of African states. The paper illustrates that the historical social contract for most Africans is not between the state and individuals but with communities. However, the classical concept of the social contract causes us to think of bonds of legitimacy between the state and a citizenry of individuals. In this respect, the focus of the classical social contract on individuals leads to a liberal set of values that steer us away from the core issues needing attention in African conflicts. The document argues that Montesquieu’s liberty and the checks and balance offered by a focus on groups offers a more promising path in state reconstruction.

In addition, it suggests the following conclusions:

• local systems of governance and the resolution of their problems are key to the restoration of order • the severe resource constraints created by violent conflict make international actors central to the imposition of some semblance of peace
  
• the presence and importance of international actors in the networks changes policies and indirectly affects politics
  
• nevertheless, it does not threaten the integrity of the state as an institution itself, which instead is rooted in the processes of contracts with communities and 'bargains' with the military.

This paper forms part of a collection of essays on post-conflict security in Africa, which are featured in the Eldis conflict and security guide. These are -

• Insecurity and Local Governance in Congo’s South Kivu
•  A Village-Up View of Sierra Leone’s Civil War and Reconstruction
• Reconstructing Political Order Among the Somalis: The Historical Record in the South and Centre
•  Coordinating Development in Conflict States: Donor Networks in Somalia
• The Dynamics of Restraint in Côte d’Ivoire
• Democracy, Liberty and Montesquieu: Constructing Accountable Order in African Conflict States.