At the Borderlands of Informal Practices of the State: Negotiability,Porosity and Exceptionality

Abstract

Using local land registration practices in four ‘gray’ settlements in South Africa, I demonstrate a host of local state practices. These can be seen as falling into one of three typologies – negotiability, porosity, and exceptionality – and demonstrate the highly negotiable nature of engagements between the local government and informal communities. Furthermore, the cases speak back to the idea of informal practices of the state, showing its utility and limits at the micro-scale and offering insight into the motivations of the state for engaging in such practices and their potential for offering more progressive forms of engagement.