The dynamics of favela justice; identity, legitimacy and legality

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to consider and evaluate three models of favela governance structure to appreciate the full extent of the complexity of legislature faced by favela residents and to thereby determine whether any concrete notion of justice can exist within the favela. Design/methodology/approach - – The paper discusses the relative utilities Donna M. Goldstein’s parallel state theory, Enrique Desmond Arias’ model of state-gang mutual penetration and John Rapley’s notion of neo-medievalism through a process of setting them up in dialogue with one another. Findings - – The paper finds that the picture of favela governance that emerges through the discussion of the varying theories is one of a delicate equilibrium that depends on a constant process of negotiation and renegotiation and that it is only within this discursive space that any meaningful notion of favela justice can emerge. Originality/value - – The dialogic aspect of the paper creates a new space, between theories, from which a more nuanced notion of the modern favela, and the subtleties of state-gang relations therein, is able to develop.