Theories behind my data collection and Analysis

 

This is my new way of data collection and analysis

Acts that allow the Somali government both at local and national level to legitimately use force to assure citizen security.

This is composed of two elements one is monopolization of force utilization and the other is its legitimation.

I therefore ask two questions: a) is state's power increasing or decreasing, state here refers not only to the central state but also local states too; b) is state's legitimacy increasing or decreasing?

The Somali state in the short run can secure, as it already did, in an indirect form, a case in point: the way the current parliament and president was selected. In the longer run, four years from now, hopefully, however, voting citizens will decide how legitimate the state is by either extending its life or ending it, by means of vote.

If Shebab uses force in areas government controls, then the government’s exclusive use of force in legitimate fashion decreases. The same applies if it uses force in areas it controls that fall with jurisdictions of Somali Republic.

Similar statement can be made if Shebab or their supporters use force in the Republic of Kenya.

Research in east Africa shows state legitimacy is largely determined by perceived citizen security, security here is not limited to physical security but also economic and other forms of securities.

The concept of human securities comes to mind.

You will note immediately that the Somali state is not able to monopolize legitimate use of force because of the arms embargo imposed upon Somalia since 1990s. Recent attempts to lift the arms embargo did not succeed.

The theory behind my data collection can also be encapsulated into two fundamental political concepts: self-determination and peaceful conflict resolution.

When people are allowed to determine their own political fate, conflicting interests inevitably emerge. If not politically or legally resolved, societies may descend to anarchy.

I thus ask the inevitable question: does the relevant society; has its disposal political and legal means to resolve its conflicts peacefully?

 

 

If not, is it working to establish these institutions to usher new era of lasting peace?