CIAO DATE: 10/2008
April 2008
Center on International Cooperation
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, or human and collective security – as that of well-organized cooperation between effective states. States retain the 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.
Resource link: From Fragility to Resilience: Concepts and Dilemmas of Statebuilding in Fragile States (Executive Summary) [PDF] - 112K