Research Project (Ongoing)

Theory-building of Inclusive Governance for Human Dignity: Patterns and Causal Mechanisms of the Institutional Complementarity between Modern and Traditional Systems

In recent years, the world has witnessed democratic backsliding and deepening societal polarization, making it an urgent global challenge to sustain trust in state institutions and sustain governance legitimacy. At the same time, international development faces a critical contradiction known as the “development paradox,” where institutional development and improvements in public services do not always translate directly into social inclusivity or stability.

To address these challenges, this research project focuses on two key dimensions. Firstly, this research examines the subjective feelings of trust, belonging, security, and recognition that individuals experience through their interactions with institutions and society. Secondly, the research investigates how this sense of dignity is deeply intertwined with how people accept and embrace institutions, which manifest as the rules, mechanisms, and practices that shape daily life and society.

In this study, the definition of “institutions” extends beyond modern frameworks operated by governments and administrations. It also encompasses traditional practices that influence people’s daily behaviors and relationships with others and society, such as traditional authority, customary decision-making, religious norms, and localized cooperative networks.

Focusing on Indonesia, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Philippines, where both systems coexist, this project investigates how the combination of modern institutions and traditional governance (institutional complementarity) affects people's sense of dignity and their trust in these systems. Specifically, the project conducts a comparative analysis from three distinct perspectives: the narratives of institutional actors who run and support these systems, citizen surveys administered to local residents regarding their acceptance and trust of the institutions, and an examination of the political and social institutions unique to each country. By analyzing these three perspectives, the study aims to typify the modalities of institutional complementarity. Furthermore, the project seeks to uncover the causal pathways through which various institutional differences, commonalities, and combinations impact social inclusion and individual dignity, thereby theoretically clarifying the specific conditions under which a sense of dignity is fostered.

Ultimately, this research aims to offer fresh perspectives for reimagining inclusive governance—creating a foundation where every individual can truly experience a profound sense of dignity.