44 Chapter Three
territories, large illicit economies usually exist. Moreover, due to high
incidencies of corruption, these two sectors are often linked together so
that the officials thus control some parts of economic activities. In more
developed parts of the region, the private sector is growing and the role of
the state is still quite limited to regulatory functions. In parts of the region
outside of state control, typically no regulation over any economic
activities exists.
Fifth, the effects of regionalism are weak. The most advanced regional
organization which is at least partially present in the region is ASEAN.
Other organizations like SAARC or EAC are usually underdeveloped and
malfunctioning. However, there is large potential for further development
of regional cooperation despite many obstacles in the way of this
development.
Sixth, the use of violence is nothing uncommon for the region. Large-
scale killings and other forms of violence are common in much of East
Africa, and places like Yemen, Pakistan, Madagascar, and Burma. Many
states (e.g. Burma, Pakistan) and groups in power (e.g. al Shabaab) are
dependent on a highly repressive security sector and the violent
suppression of opposition for their survival. This is connected to the
inability to provide basic goods to the population, which is then kept silent
and calm through violent means. In places where uprisings appear, these
are usually solved by violent means rather than diplomacy (e.g. Kenya
after last presidential elections).
Identity issues are very complicated in most of the countries in the
region. The only exceptions are the small countries where no significant
ethnic, religious, or political groups exist in opposition to one another
(Mauritius, partially Oman, Seychelles), or where their struggle is
mitigated by the institutional framework (Australia). In the other countries
there are many identity issues connected to ethnicity (e.g. Pakistan, RSA),
language (e.g. India), religion (e.g. Sri Lanka), or clan identity (e.g.
Somalia).
Neomedieval Criteria
When we move to the neomedieval character axis we have to analyze three
main factors. The first is the nature of the non-state actors. Once again, in
most parts of the region these actors are at least partially violent. We can
observe groups which primarily utilize violent means and are thus unable
to effectively control territory for a longer period of time without war-like
efforts and war propaganda, such as those al Shabaab used in Somalia in
relation to the intervention from Ethiopia; groups which use both peaceful