Whose credibility are we talking about?

There is a dual dimension to this question. First, it needs to be recognized that conflict is present in any institutional arrangement, credible and non-credible ones. Thus, even when an institution is credible, that does not mean it is harmonious, peaceful and conflict-free. Second, credibility theory makes a distinction between the levels of analysis, and the levels at which institutions emerge. Thus, an institution that emerges between a group of actors at the grassroots level could be credible (i.e. functional) inasmuch an institution that emerges at the national level could be non-credible or empty, and vice versa.