Book
Fragile States

Causes, Costs, and Responses

Overcoming state fragility is one of the most important international development objectives of the 21st century. Many fragile states have turned into failed states, where millions of people are caught in deprivation and seemingly hopeless conditions. Fragile states lack the authority, legitimacy, and capacity that a modern state needs to advance the development of its peoples, and present deep challenges for the design and implementation of development policy. For instance, how is aid to be designed and delivered in a way that will help people in fragile states if their governments lack capacity to absorb and use aid? And what can be done about adverse side-effects of fragile states on their neighbours and the global community, such as heightened insecurity, rising out-migration, displaced populations, and the destruction of natural resources? This book documents the far reaching global repercussions of state fragility and provides a timely contribution to the international discourse on three dimensions of fragile states: their causes, costs, and the responses required. It will appeal to scholars, policymakers, and donors who are concerned about conflict and development. Its aim is to contribute to our understanding of how strong and accountable states can be fostered-states where government and civil society progressively advance human wellbeing, underpin households' resilience in the face of shocks, and form effective partnerships to maximize the benefits of development assistance.

Table of contents
  1. Part I: Causes
    1. Fragile States: An Overview
    Wim Naudé, Amelia U. Santos-Paulino, Mark McGillivray
  2. Part I: Causes
    2. State Fragility: Concept and Measurement
    Mina Baliamoune-Lutz, Mark McGillivray
    More Working Paper | State Fragility
  3. Part I: Causes
    3. The Causes and Measurement of State Fragility
    David Carment, Stewart Prest, Yiagadeesen Samy
    More Working Paper | Determinants of State Fragility and Implications for Aid Allocation
  4. Part I: Causes
    4. Resources, Conflict, and State Fragility: Iraq and Somalia
    Ghassan Dibeh
    More Working Paper | Resources and the Political Economy of State Fragility in Conflict States
  5. Part II: Costs
    5. The Cost of Failing States and the Limits to Sovereignty
    Lisa Chauvet, Paul Collier, Anke Hoeffler
    More Working Paper | The Cost of Failing States and the Limits to Sovereignty
  6. Part II: Costs
    6. Fragility and Conflict in Palestine: The Costs of the Closures Regime on West Bank and Gaza
    Sebnem Akkaya, Norbert Fiess, Bartolomiej Kaminski, Gaël Raballand
  7. Part II: Costs
    7. Gender and Ethnicity in Fragile States: The Case of Post-Conflict Kosovo Part
    Sumon Kumar Bhaumik, Ira N. Gang, Myeong-Su Yun
    More Working Paper | Gender and Ethnicity in Post-Conflict Kosovo
  8. Part III: Responses
    8. Enforcing Peace Agreements in Fragile States through Commitment Technologies
    Mansoob Murshed, Philip Verwimp
    More Working Paper | Enforcing Peace Agreements through Commitment Technologies
  9. Part III: Responses
    9. Aid Allocation and Fragile States
    Mark McGillivray
    More Working Paper | Aid Allocation and Fragile States
  10. Part III: Responses
    10. Enhancing Effective Utilization of Aid in Fragile States
    Sanjeev Gupta
    More Working Paper | Enhancing Effective Utilization of Aid in Fragile States
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