Bridging the Confidence Gap
In everyday policing, citizens and states interact significantly. Yet even within capable governments like India's, community experiences vary widely.
New Insights from Indian Slums
This article presents original survey data (8,000 households) and semistructured interviews with 160+ slum communities and their 170+ informal neighborhood leaders—offering fresh perspectives on policing quality in India.
The Connection Matters
Our findings reveal that well-connected individuals express greater confidence in local policing. This isn't due to fewer conflicts, but rather reflects their ability to leverage social networks with police representatives.
Practical Implications
The mixed-methods approach highlights conditions under which citizens perceive the police as neutral providers of order versus rent-seeking agents—offering crucial insights for India's governance challenges.
