ABSTRACT
The interplay between formal and informal practices is evident in everyday life, where institutions and laws can legitimise informal practices, yet these same practices often bypass formal structures to achieve goals. This study examines how formal and informal spheres form a continuum, ranging from solidarity to control. Based on 104 interviews conducted across Southeast Europe, our findings show that informal practices transition from altruistic solidarity networks to control networks driven by interest. Over the course of this transition, the sanctions imposed on those failing to abide by the network’s unwritten rules evolve from moral and internalised to external and severe, while expectations of reciprocity grow. Ultimately, informal practices both bridge and deepen societal divisions, reflecting ongoing struggles and new solidarities.
