failed states

Failed State

A state that no longer provides positive political goods to its citizens and has lost legitimacy.

Non-State Actors

Groups such as terrorists or warlords that operate independently of the state.

Characteristics of Failed States

Features include conflict, contested land, and a government focused on battling uprisings.

Enduring Character of Violence

Refers to how long violence lasts in a failed state.

Direction of Violence

The target of violence in a failed state, which can vary widely.

Standard of Living

The quality of life that decreases in failed states due to poor governance.

Infrastructure

The physical systems supporting daily life that are often in disrepair in failed states.

Greed of Rulers

The prioritization of rulers' wealth over the welfare of citizens.

Civil Wars

Internal conflicts rooted in ethnic, religious, or linguistic differences.

Avarice

Extreme greed for wealth and resources, often exacerbated by the discovery of lucrative resources.

Border Control

The inability of a failed state to manage its borders effectively.

Patrimonial Value

The reliance on a patronage system for extracting resources from citizens.

Political Goods

Essential services like security, education, and health that a failed state cannot provide.

Weak Institutions

Flawed governmental structures that lack democratic processes and effective judiciary systems.

Economic Opportunity

The disparity in wealth distribution, leading to corruption and impoverishment.

Legitimacy

The recognition and authority of a government, which diminishes in failed states.

Collapsed State

An extreme form of a failed state where governance has completely broken down.

Case Studies

Examples of states perceived as failed but still functioning, such as Sri Lanka and Colombia.

State Failure

A phenomenon often attributed to poor leadership decisions and corruption.

Recovery After State Failure

The challenging process of rebuilding governance, security, and infrastructure.

Preventing State Failure

Strategies like financial assistance and governance improvement to reinforce stability.