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Definition of failed states
A territory is organised under a government. However, sometimes this political and/or economic structure becomes so weak that the government is no longer in control. This will result in what we call a 'failed state'. Such a failed state can no longer function, certainly not with its people's best interest at heart.
There are several characteristics of a failed state:
- The government cannot project its authority over the people and the territory
- It is unable to protect its boundaries resulting in a loss of territory
- Erosion of legitimate authority to make collective decisions
- The inability to provide public services
- The inability to implement public policies
- Civil liberties and human rights are no longer protected
- The residents of a failed state will have no physical security and no stable political and economic systems in place
- The inability to interact with other states as a full member of the international community
There are several reasons why a state would fail, such as predatory and corrupt government, civil wars, genocide, and ethnic violence.
Other contributing factors for a state to fail are:
- insurgency
- high crime rates
- overly bureaucratic processes
- judicial incompetence
- military interference in politics
Failed states tend to suffer from civil violence, crime, internal corruption, poverty, illiteracy, and a crumbling infrastructure.
It is worth remembering that a failed state is reversible, although it takes enormous effort from the governing body in question. This principle goes for any country, as a stable country can become a failed state.
Fragile States Index
Each year, the Fund for Peace will release the 'Fragile States Index' (FSI), previously called the 'Failed States Index, showing the fragility of 179 countries. They look at 12 metrics to determine the fragility of a state.
| Fragile State Index 12 metrics | |
|---|---|
| Metric | Explanation |
| "Security Apparatus | considers security threats to a state, such as bombings, coups, and terrorism |
| Factionalised Elites | considers the fragmentation of state institutions along ethnic, class, clan, racial or religious lines, the brinkmanship and gridlock between ruling elites, and the use of nationalistic political rhetoric by the ruling elite, such as nationalism |
| Group Grievance | focuses on divisions and schisms between different groups in society, particularly political divisions |
| Economic Decline | considers the economic decline and possibly related poverty of a state |
| Uneven Economic Development | considers economic inequality, regardless of the actual performance of an economy |
| Human Flight and Brain Drain | considers the economic impact of human displacement and its consequences on a state's development |
| State Legitimacy | considers the representativeness and openness of government and its relationship with its citizens |
| Public Services | an indicator that refers to the presence of basic state functions that serve the people |
| Human Rights and the Rule of Law | considers the relationship between the state and its population insofar as fundamental human rights are protected, and freedoms are observed and respected |
| Demographic Pressures | considerers the pressure upon the state deriving from the population itself or the government around it |
| Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) | measures the pressure upon states caused by the forced displacement of large communities as a result of social, political, environmental or other causes |
| External Intervention | considers the influence and impact of external factors in the functioning, particularly security and economic, of a state." |
| Table 1: 12 metrics of the Fragile State Index(1) | |
179 countries are reviewed each year; however, only recognised sovereign states based on UN membership are included in this review. The exception is Palestine, as it is included in the assessment of Israel.
The higher the score, the worse the state of that country is, and each indicator counts for 10 points.
The status of 179 countries is reviewed every year by the Fragile States Index.
Fig. 1 - Map showing countries ranked according to the Fragile State Index in 2020.
Examples of failed states
Several countries have been considered the worst of the failed states over the last few years.
Here are a few examples.
Examples of failed states: Eritrea
This is a small country in the Horn of Africa. Ever since it gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993, dictators have ruled it. Many Eritreans have suffered due to military clashes and failed governments over the years. This country scores poorly on human rights, demographic pressures, and the state's legitimacy.
Syria as an example of failed states
more than 100,000 lives have been lost during 2 years of civil wars, and there is no end in sight yet. Syria has a near-bottom score for Security Apparatus.
Zimbabwe as an example of failed states
this country suffered massively when ruled by one of the world's worst dictators, Robert Mugabe. Though he helped decolonise the country, he was accused of serious human rights abuses and corruption. Zimbabwe has more than 1 million people living with HIV/AIDS, and the inflation is terrible.
Examples of failed states: Congo
There is a very high prevalence of AIDS, as well as horrible malnutrition, pollution and disease. Congo got the worst score for Demographic Pressure. Several hundreds of thousands of people are killed in internal conflicts every year, and an estimated 400,000 women were raped during the civil war 2006-2007.
The map below shows more examples of failed states over the last few years.
Fig. 2 - Examples of failed states over the past few years.2
Remember that a failed state can recover. While these are some extreme examples of failed states, some may recover soon.
Failed states 2020
To determine the failed states of 2020, we will be looking at the data from the FSI from 2020. Considering that there is no specific answer to what score constitutes a failed state, we will list the countries that fall under 'alert'. The map below shows 9 countries that fall under 'alert'.
Fig. 3 - Countries under 'alert'.2
Fragile states
Apart from failed states, there are also fragile states, sometimes also called 'vulnerable states'. States classified as fragile would need to undertake action otherwise, they will become a failed state. The map below will show all the countries listed as 'fragile' as of 2021 based on the FSI of 2021.
Fig. 4 - Countries marked as 'fragile' as of 2021.2
No specific indicator, score, or rank defines when a fragile state becomes a failed state.
Once again, remember that the status of any country can change for better or worse. Sometimes countries that we perceive as powerful can become fragile states. China is an example. When you look at the map in figure 1, you can see that China is yellow, indicating a warning. While China may not be a full-on fragile state, if it does not take the necessary precautions, it will certainly become a fragile state.
Criticism
While there are statistics when it comes to indicating a failed or fragile state, some caution is needed as there is no official consensus on the definition of a 'failed state'. The nature of the indicators is subjective.
The Fragile States Index does receive criticism for the following reasons:
- The Human Development Index to reach the final score is not included. Instead, it focuses on institutions to measure what are often also considered human aspects of development
- FSI draws parallels between the fragility of a state with underdevelopment. This leads to the assumption that (economic) underdevelopment leads to fragility and therefore leads to the assumption that a developed state is stable or sustainable
- FSI measures the failure (or success) of a state without including progress made outside of the 12 metrics. Therefore important measures such as child mortality rates and access to clean water are not taken into account
So, while the FSI is a good indicator of failed or fragile states, it is worth remembering that it still has its limitations.
Failed States - Key takeaways
- A failed state, in simple terms, is: a territory organised under 1 government. However, sometimes this political structure is not working. This will result in what we call a failed state
- There are several characteristics of a failed state:
- The government cannot project its authority over the people and the territory
- It is unable to protect its boundaries, loss of territory
- Erosion of legitimate authority to make collective decisions
- The inability to provide public services
- The inability to implement public policies
- Civil liberties and human rights are no longer protected
- The residents of a failed state will have no physical security and no stable political and economic systems in place
- The inability to interact with other states as a full member of the international community
- There are several reasons why a state fails:- predatory and corrupt government- civil wards- genocide- ethnic violence- insurgency- high crime rate- overly bureaucratic processes- judicial incompetence- military interference in politics
- Apart from failed states, there are also fragile states, sometimes also called 'vulnerable states'. States that are classified as fragile would need to undertake action; otherwise, they will become a failed state
- Regardless of the status of a country or state, its status can change at any moment, for better or worse
References
- Fragile State Index Indicators. Fragile State Index.
- Maps for fig. 2, 3, and 4. were created using data from the Fragile State Index website.
- Fig. 1: Map showing countries ranked according to the Fragile State Index in 2020 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Countries_according_to_the_Fragile_States_Index.svg) by Randam (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Randam) Licensed by CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en)
- Fig. 2, 3, and 4: Mapchart.net (https://www.mapchart.net/) Licensed by CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
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Frequently Asked Questions about Failed States
Is China a fragile state?
While China may not be a full-on fragile state yet, it is certainly on its way to becoming one if it does not take active measures.
What does a failed state mean?
A failed state is a state or country that is no longer working in its political structure. Failed states have lost its people's trust and the population tends to suffer from civil violence, crime, internal corruption, poverty, illiteracy, and a crumbling infrastructure.
What countries are failed states?
Examples of failed states include Eritrea, Syria, Zimbabwe, and Congo
What does state fragility mean?
A state that is fragile is a state/country that is not a failed state yet. However, any bad changes to the state/country in question can lead to a country to become a failed state.
Which countries are failed states?
In 2020, the following countries can be defined as failed states:
- Yemen
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Sudan
- Afghanistan
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