Characteristics of a Failed State

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Questions and Answers

What is a common characteristic of a failed state?

Infrastructure maintenance capability (correct)

Effective control over territory and borders

Law enforcement capacity

High tax collection efficiency

Which country was initially used to illustrate the concept of a failed state?

Libya

Haiti

Somalia (correct)

Afghanistan

What event led to Somalia descending into disorder in 1991?

A successful election

Economic prosperity

Military intervention from outside the country

A coup that ousted its dictator (correct)

Which of the following is a likely consequence of a state becoming failed?

Widespread corruption and criminality Signup and view all the answers

Apart from Somalia, which of these countries has been described as a failed state in the early 2020s?

Central African Republic Signup and view all the answers

What function is typically lacking in a failed state?

Political or civil office staffing Signup and view all the answers

What does Charles T.Call propose as an alternative to the concept of state failure?

The gap framework Signup and view all the answers

According to Call, what are the three 'gaps' in resource provision that a failing state cannot address?

Capacity, security, legitimacy Signup and view all the answers

What does Call criticize about the state failure concept?

It is overly generalized Signup and view all the answers

In Bøås and Jennings' research, why do Western policy-makers label certain states as 'failed'?

Based on Western perceptions of security and interests Signup and view all the answers

What is one criticism brought forth by Bøås and Jennings regarding the use of the 'failed state' label?

'Failed state' labeling is politically driven Signup and view all the answers

Why does Call suggest that the gap framework is more useful than quantifying the degree of state failure?

To analyze government-society interplay more effectively Signup and view all the answers

How does Call describe the application of the state failure concept in explaining the plight of diverse states?

'Catch-all theory' Signup and view all the answers

'The implosion of the state' refers to what transformation according to Bates?

'Into an instrument of predation' Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary issue with formally designating a state as 'failed'?

It can lead to geopolitical implications Signup and view all the answers

'Failure in addressing challenges in resource provision' is associated with which gap according to Call's framework?

'Capacity gap' Signup and view all the answers

Who originated the concept of a 'failed state' in the 1990s?

Robert Kaplan Signup and view all the answers

'Western policy-makers attribute the 'failed' label to states that threaten Western interests.' What does this suggest according to Bøås and Jennings?

'Inherent hypocrisy' Signup and view all the answers

According to Max Weber, how is a state defined?

By maintaining a monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force Signup and view all the answers

What does the presence of warlords, corrupt policing, and armed gangs indicate about a state?

Failed state with an ineffective governance system Signup and view all the answers

What do scholars use to determine whether a state has failed according to different indices like the Fragile States Index?

Democratic character of a state's institutions Signup and view all the answers

In the context of 'failed states', what did Robert Kaplan warn about in Liberia and Sierra Leone?

'Coming anarchy' Signup and view all the answers

How did Weber differentiate between de facto and de jure legitimacy in a state's use of violence?

'De jure' does not require legitimacy Signup and view all the answers

According to Max Weber, what does it mean when a state has been rendered ineffective?

Inability to enforce laws uniformly or provide basic goods and services Signup and view all the answers

What are some characteristics that may indicate a failing or failed state as per the text?

Overwhelming crime rates and political corruption Signup and view all the answers

According to Charles Tilly, what was an indispensable aspect of state development in Europe?

War-making Signup and view all the answers

What is a derived concept that expands on the idea of 'failed states'?

Failed cities Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect does Steward and Knaus emphasize as essential for helping nations build themselves?

Well-resourced humanitarian interventions Signup and view all the answers

Why did Herbst (1990) argue that war was important for state development?

To strengthen extraction capability Signup and view all the answers

What is the highest possible total score a country can achieve in the Fragile States Index (FSI)?

120 Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the major discrepancies between the quantitative and qualitative research approaches mentioned in the text?

Transparency in indicators Signup and view all the answers

Which country ranked number one in the 2015 Fragile States Index?

South Sudan Signup and view all the answers

Why do most Third World states, according to Herbst, lack the experience of waging interstate wars as compared to European states?

Absence of external threats Signup and view all the answers

What does Schneckener emphasize about his model of state phases that differentiates it from Rotberg's model?

Each state's development is unique Signup and view all the answers

How many stages are typically used in the qualitative approach to measure state failure?

3 to 5 Signup and view all the answers

What is a criticism highlighted by scholars regarding the labeling of states as 'failed states'?

'Failed state' is often used to impose developed states' interests Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of Ulrich Schneckener's core elements in his stage model for state failure?

Resource abundance Signup and view all the answers

What was the number of countries initially ranked by the Fragile States Index in 2005?

75 Signup and view all the answers

'Nation-building' by developed countries refers to:

'Well-resourced humanitarian interventions' Signup and view all the answers

'Developed nations and their aid institutions have had a positive impact on many failed states.' - This statement supports the idea that:

'Failed states' recovery is possible with external aid Signup and view all the answers

Which country is currently considered the most stable and sustainable according to the Fragile States Index?

Finland Signup and view all the answers

What does the Fragile States Index categorize states into?

Alert, warning, stable, sustainable Signup and view all the answers

What organization prepares and publishes the annual Fragile States Index?

'Foreign Policy' Magazine Signup and view all the answers

'The typology is based on the security first logic' refers to which researcher's stage model?

'Ulrich Schneckener' Signup and view all the answers

What is identified as the key aspect of state development by Pritchett, Woolcock, and Andrews (2013)?

State administrative capability for implementation Signup and view all the answers

According to Moss, Todd, Pettersson, and Van de Walle (2006), what can the large cash contributions from Western countries lead to in African countries?

Creation of institutions less accountable to citizens Signup and view all the answers

What can undermine the state's monopoly on violence, according to the text?

Empowerment of non-state actors through aid Signup and view all the answers

What unintended consequence can occur when donors delegate aid spending to recipient governments?

Diversion towards self-enrichment of incumbent elites Signup and view all the answers

What technique is suggested for failed states to reach the state capability of developed countries?

Creating context-specific institutions Signup and view all the answers

What did Chesterman and Ignatieff et al. identify as a central problem regarding international action in failed states?

Focus on short-term crisis rather than long-term state-building Signup and view all the answers

What did Berman, Felter, Shapiro, and Trolan find regarding US aid attempts in African agriculture?

'Aid-institutions paradox' Signup and view all the answers

How did US aid to the Colombian military in the 1990s and 2000s lead to an increase in paramilitary violence?

Empowered non-state actors through direct funding Signup and view all the answers

What did Pritchett, Woolcock, and Andrews suggest for failed states to attain substantial development?

Creating context-specific institutions Signup and view all the answers

Why do citizens of failed states tend to be attracted to political violence according to Tiffiany Howard's research?

Because of the lack of effective governance and deteriorating conditions Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of state failure does James Piazza's research suggest leads to an increase in terrorist attacks?

The connection between deteriorating state conditions and political violence Signup and view all the answers

What different approach does Tiffiany Howard take in her research on state failure and terrorism compared to previous studies in Sub-Saharan Africa?

She analyzes individual citizens' decision-making patterns Signup and view all the answers

Based on the text, why do individuals living in failed states gravitate towards political violence according to empirical findings?

Because the state has failed in its duty and threatens their survival Signup and view all the answers

How does contemporary transnational crime leverage globalization and new technologies based on the provided text?

To perpetrate diverse crimes and move assets instantly Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to the attractiveness of failed states for terrorists and insurgents according to previous research mentioned in the text?

The weakened state structures that allow for extremist activity Signup and view all the answers

Which concept involves a combination of international and domestic organizations seeking to rebuild failed states?

Neotrusteeship Signup and view all the answers

According to Wainaina, what is the problem with large cash contributions from Western countries to spur African development?

They do not invest in Africa's growth economically, politically, or socially. Signup and view all the answers

What does Weinstein suggest about allowing failed states to recover on their own?

It inhibits the development of strong internal institutions and capabilities. Signup and view all the answers

What is one proposed solution by Fearon and Laitin to the problem of accountability in failed states?

Empowering a UN body to investigate human rights abuses. Signup and view all the answers

What does Fearon and Laitin believe is necessary to solve the collective action problem in intervening in failed states?

International cooperation. Signup and view all the answers

How does Weinstein argue that war contributes to the development of strong state institutions?

By leading to large expansions in state capabilities. Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential downside identified by Weinstein regarding international intervention in failed states?

Inhibiting state capacity development. Signup and view all the answers

What would Forceon and Laitin's proposal of neotrusteeship involve according to their arguments?

Combating collective action problems with international cooperation. Signup and view all the answers

"Having a single state lead the peacekeeping operation would also help solve which problem according to Fearon and Laitin's proposal?"

'Coordination problem' Signup and view all the answers

What does Weinstein propose regarding allowing failed states to recover?

It fosters the development of strong internal institutions and capabilities. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key dimension of development, in addition to economic growth, that is discussed in the text?

Administrative capability of the state Signup and view all the answers

Why are capability traps considered a problem for failed states?

They exclude local agents from state building Signup and view all the answers

What approach was proposed by Matt, Lant, and Woolcock to escape capability traps in failed states?

Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) Signup and view all the answers

What contributes to the creation of a "Terrorist Black Hole" according to the text?

Terrorist Comparative Advantages Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT mentioned as contributing to governmental weakness in regions that become Terrorist Black Holes?

Technological advancements Signup and view all the answers

What impacts does human capital flight have on failed states?

Exacerbates the severity of failed states Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of PDIA as mentioned in the text?

Solving locally nominated performance problems Signup and view all the answers

'Terrorist Black Holes' are regions where:

"Terrorist Comparative Advantages" exist, and government is weak Signup and view all the answers

How does economic underdevelopment contribute to governmental weakness in regions identified as 'Terrorist Black Holes'?

By limiting the resources available for governance Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of failed states not having effective refugee resettlement programs?

Weakening of reform movements and modernization efforts Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Common Characteristics of Failed States

Lack of effective governance and inability to provide basic services.
Presence of widespread corruption, lawlessness, and violence.
Decline in legitimacy and capacity to enforce laws.

Somalia as an Illustration of a Failed State

Somalia was the first country used to illustrate the concept of a failed state.
Descended into disorder due to the collapse of the central government in 1991 after civil war.

Consequences and Characteristics of Failed States

Likely consequences include humanitarian crises, refugee flows, and increased terrorism.
Typically lacking in crucial functions like maintaining law and order, and basic public services.

Alternative Concepts to Failed State

Charles T. Call proposes a gap framework instead of the failed state concept, focusing on resource provision.
Identifies three gaps in resource provision: security, authority, and service provision.

Criticism of the Failed State Concept

Call criticizes the oversimplification of state failure, suggesting it ignores complex dynamics at play.
Bøås and Jennings argue Western policy-makers label certain states as 'failed' due to perceived threats to interests.

Definitions and Indications of State Status

Max Weber defines a state as an entity with a monopoly on the legitimate use of violence.
Indicators of failing states include warlordism, rampant corruption, and civil unrest.

Fragile States Index (FSI) Insights

The FSI categorizes states based on indicators like political stability and governmental efficiency.
Highest possible score is an indicator of extreme instability.

International Influence on State Development

'Nation-building' efforts often focus on reforming governance and security sectors in failed states.
Aid can have adverse effects, potentially entrenching corruption or creating dependency.

The Role of War in State Development

Herbst argues that conflict has been instrumental in forming strong state structures in Europe.
In contrast, many Third World states have not experienced interstate wars leading to political weakness.

Issues with Designating States as 'Failed'

Classifying a state as 'failed' can hinder diplomatic relations and development efforts.
Critiques suggest this label can oversimplify and stigmatize nations without addressing underlying issues.

Research Models and Frameworks

Ulrich Schneckener's stage model elaborates on phases of state failure, while Pritchett et al. emphasize the need for context-specific approaches.
Capability traps imply that failed states struggle to develop due to historical and structural barriers.

Terrorism and Political Violence

Political violence often attracts individuals from failed states due to perceived lack of legitimate political avenues.
Transnational crime thrives in failed states, leveraging instability to gain footholds.

Suggested Interventions and Recovery Approaches

Proposals for neotrusteeship underline the need for accountable external interventions.
Fearon and Laitin suggest that collective action challenges must be addressed to improve intervention effectiveness.

Consequences of Human Capital Flight

Brain drain exacerbates instability and hampers recovery efforts in failed states.
Fragile states face continuous cycles of governmental weakness and loss of skilled personnel.

The Importance of Development Context

Effective development requires attention to both economic growth and social institutions.
The PDIA (Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation) focuses on localized solutions that build state capacity from within.

Terrorist Black Holes

Regions lacking governance become breeding grounds for terrorism and organized crime.
Economic underdevelopment and ineffective refugee programs amplify instability within these territories.

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Description

Explore the common characteristics of a failed state, which include a loss of ability to govern, inadequate tax collection, lack of law enforcement, and more. Discover the factors that contribute to the classification of a state as failed.