State challenge and social legitimacy: Brazilian militias as violent non-state actors and informal institutions

Militias are irregular armed groups that emerge from anti-drug trafficking discourses, seeking legitimacy by providing services to the population and through the police positions held by many of their members. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, where militia groups have taken control of specific regions, essentially replacing the authority of the state and exerting a comprehensive influence over the local order. This article presents a case study that delves into the intricate relationship between militias and the state in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The objectives include discussing informal institutions, violent non-state actors, organized crime, and hybrid governance; examining the composition and performance of militias in Rio de Janeiro; and elucidating the informal institutional framework that guides their conduct, allowing them to gain urban social legitimacy without necessarily supplanting public power. The central question addressed by this article revolves around how militias challenge state power in Rio de Janeiro. The choice of this case study is underscored by the fact that militias have already extended their control over approximately 60% of the city’s territory and more than 250 square kilometers of area in the metropolitan region. The article’s findings indicate that militias challenge the state’s authority not only through their provision of public services but also by infiltrating formal governance structures.