Presenting case studies and comparisons across seven countries, this book addresses key questions as to the nature of state fragility, policies used to mitigate it, assessment of outcomes and prospects.
It offers a novel empirical contribution in examining a range of distinct but interdependent dimensions of state fragility, not only focusing on questions of state legitimacy, capacity and authority, but also involving the economy and resilience to political and economic shocks, as well as at vital questions of context and diversity. Examining Afghanistan, Lebanon, Burundi, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Papua New Guinea and Rwanda within the context of their different local circumstances, and within broader questions of global security, the book identifies unique factors that have played a part in their specific context and explores key drivers and dominant features.
This book will be of key interest to scholars and students of state fragility and more broadly to students of politics, public policy, development studies, state-society relations, political economy, state building, peace and conflict studies, international studies, security studies regional studies., as well as NGOs and international organizations.
1. State fragility: An introduction
Nematullah Bizhan
2. Building legitimacy and state capacity in Afghanistan
Nematullah Bizhan
3. Proximate causes of state fragility and sources of resilience in Lebanon
Bilal Malaeb
4. The origin and persistence of state fragility in Burundi
Janvier D. Nkurunziza
5. Heterogeneous fragility in Pakistan
Umair Javed and Ijaz Nabi
6. The persistence of fragility in Sierra Leone
Herbert M’cleod and Brian Ganson
7. A weak state and strong microsocieties in Papua New Guinea
Nematullah Bizhan and Emanuel Gabu Gorea
8. Consolidating peace and legitimacy in Rwanda
Will Jones
9. Conclusion
Nematullah Bizhan
Biography
Nematullah Bizhan is a Lecturer in Public Policy at the Development Policy Centre at The Australian National University, Australia, and a Senior Research Associate with the Global Economic Governance Program, Oxford University, UK.
"In this fascinating book, Nematullah Bizhen draws out what we can learn about rebuilding after conflict or in situations of fragility from Afghanistan, Lebanon, Burundi, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Papua New Guinea and Rwanda. The core message is that the legitimacy of the state needs rebuilding and that means don’t rush to hold elections but focus on nation building and institutions. An important contribution which takes us up close to the complex local politics of fragile contexts."
Ngaire Woods, Founding Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government and Professor of Global Economic Governance, Oxford University, UK.
