Concepts and Dilemmas of State Building in Fragile Situations

Policy makers are increasingly concerned by what appears to be a growing body of “weak”, “fragile”, or “failing” states.This is understandable, as few issues are so central to contemporary international politics – to questions of development, management of the global commons, and human and collective security – as the issue of well-organised co-operation between effective states. States retain central responsibility for assuring the safety and security of their citizens, protecting property rights and providing public goods to enable a functioning market. Many states do more, taking on critical welfare functions for their populations.

It is also true that states can be a source of oppression and insecurity, both domestically and
internationally.Tomany communities, the history of state formation and the process of state building is one of violent suppression of ethnic or religious identity, forced compliance with national laws and norms set by distant and unrepresentative élites, and enforced taxation with few services delivered in return. Many such communities have limited and cautious expectations of the state. International actors have not yet adequately incorporated into policies or practice a sufficiently nuanced understanding of the dynamics of fragility and its variations, or developed appropriately contextualised strategies for state building in relation to it. This report seeks to help clarify the discussion of fragility and to examine implications for state building, including as a framework for international engagement.