Governance by Violent Non-state Actors as a Challenge to Sustainable Peace in Brazil

Abstract

This chapter examines the role of violent non-state actors (VNSA) and their capacity to offer governance in competition with the Brazilian state, specifically in poor urban communities, where state security forces fail to provide the basic needs of their citizens in terms of physical protection, human dignity and social security – primarily in areas with a high level of structural violence. Scholars have pointed to the emergence of areas that are not governed by the State. In such cases, informal governance structures led by criminal organisations emerge and unbalance actors and processes aiming a sustainable peace. Using the case study method on two criminal organisations – Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) (First Capital Command) and Familia do Norte (FDN) (Northern Family) – the chapter argues that the State’s failure or negligence in the areas with high structural violence in the cities give these VNSAs legitimacy, promoting rules of conviviality, resolution of litigation and also promoting material goods for their criminal members.