Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 01/2011

Justice and security - when the state isn't the main provider

Peter Albrecht, Helene Maria Kyed

December 2010

Danish Institute for International Studies

Abstract

Most people in the world do not take it for granted that the state can or will provide justice and security. Donors who seek to improve access to these services should abandon their concern with ‘what ought to be' and focus on ‘what works'. This means supporting the providers that exist, and accepting that while wholesale change is not possible, gradual improvement is.