Schrödinger's State?

An approach to hybrid orders in Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

The aim of the present article is to reflect on the dualist conception (that is to say, State-society as watertight compartments), based on which territorial order-production dynamics have been traditionally analized. To this purpose, we resort to the concepts of “hybrid statecraft” and “clusters of order”, with a view to arguing against the apparent state “incapacity” or  “absence” regarding territorial management. The methodology adopted is basically qualitative, opting for a case study design to address the COVID-19 pandemic’s management in Rio de Janeiro’s northern “favelas”. Finally, a few brief conclusions on the topic are outlined.