Community-based justice as everyday governance across Moro and Roma contexts

Abstract

This article examines how community-based justice functions as an everyday governance practice across Moro communities in Mindanao and Roma communities in Romania. Despite increasing attention to informal institutions and legal pluralism, few studies bring distinct regional contexts into analytical conversation to identify shared governance dynamics. Existing research remains largely case-bound and seldom frames informal justice as a form of social innovation grounded in daily practice. Drawing on qualitative interviews with community leaders, mediators, and residents, the study employed a multi-sited case study design and thematic analysis to examine patterns of dispute resolution. The analysis identified three main themes: justice as relational repair, moral authority as the basis of compliance, and informal dispute resolution as a practical governance resource. These patterns appeared across both contexts despite cultural and historical differences. This article contributes to debates on informal governance by integrating cross-context evidence and reframing community-based justice as everyday governance. Ultimately, the study underscores the enduring role of locally embedded justice practices in sustaining social order.