Fragile States and Conflict Recurrence..

Abstract

About 1bn people live in failing states. Their lives are plagued by insecurity and poverty. Failing states are marginalized and if current trends continue they will be lagging even further behind in the future; trapped in a vicious cycle of underdevelopment and violent conflict. Thus, the definition of state failure focuses on two main aspects: failure to provide security and the failure to provide economic opportunities. State failure is costly in human and economic terms. It imposes costs not only to the citizens of their own state but even higher costs to other states in the region. Turning around failed states is an enormous challenge. Ultimately, the change has to come from within the country but the chapter also discusses what the international community can do to assist.