Regional Focus I: Africa

Africa: Social structure Hans-Peter Müller et. al. (1999): „Atlas of pre-colonial societies“ strong impact of pre-colonial traditions +structures today Differences to Asia: Smaller communities, political integration not beyond local community Small urban modern elite, traditional rural population, economic stagnation Absence of state in larger areas of the continent Limited resources of the state

Africa: Models of co- operation Often informal acceptance without formal, legal or institutional arrangements Non-institutional forms of local governance Various countries with formal arrangements: House of chiefs at national, local, regional level: e.g. Botswana, Namibia, Ghana Dual stuctures (Zaire/Congo) Recognition without clear function (Uganda)

Africa: Perspectives Potential for further collaboration through stronger inclusion of traditional authorities State-building in post-conflict societies (Sudan and Angola) Effective local governance with limited government resources (Mozambique) Increasing recognition by ruling elites Implementation of some policies not possible without support of traditional authorities (e.g. health) Risks of further ethnic divide

Regional Focus II: Asia

Asia: Social structure More complex and larger societies than Africa Large differences Former Sow jet States: traditional local structure survived in some cases (e.g. Tajikistan) Islamic states: e.g. Middle East, Pakistan, Indonesia, Afghanistan States with larger communities (compared to Africa): China and India, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia. Variety of norms and structures overlapping Communist/Socialist influence (China, Vietnam, Cambodia) India, Nepal: Countries with cast system Nepal: strong traditional structures at the local level Pacific: similar to Africa, chiefs and bigmen

Asia: Perspectives Large variation Possibility of stronger integration (Tajikistan, East Timor) Integration and transformation (Afghanistan) Separation movements (Indonesia, Sri Lanka) Minority protection: Australia/New Zealand (Aborigines) Social exclusion of some traditions: Cast system in India, Nepal. Islamic countries Traditional law (sharia) versus modern laws Islamic movements, conservative ideas of tradition (Taliban in Afghanistan)

Regional Focus III: Latin America

Latin America: Social structure Indigenous communities often in a minority position Traditionally poor protection of indigenous rights and cultures Various mobilization of indigenous people since 1960s, grassroot movements UN Convention on social and cultural rights E.g. Chiappas with great international attention As a consequence: Legal recognition now in almost every state

Latin America: Models of co-operation Pre-dominant: parallel structures (traditional court system and local traditional power structure) Programs to strengthen traditional organizations, hardly and initiatives to formally integrate indigenous people in the national political system No claim for independence but for better recognition/participation within the existing political system Autonomy of regions with majority of indigenous people

Latin America: Perspectives Minority position limits formal institutional arrangements and integration Strengthening of indigenous communities and their rights / Increase participation /Protection Establishment of systems of legal pluralism Acceptance of traditional land tenure system Traditional system of conflict settlement