Fragile states

 

How to use this guide

This guide can be read online using the links at the top of this page. Alternatively, the full guide can be downloaded as a pdf.

About this guide

This resource guide introduces some of the best literature on the causes, characteristics and impact of state fragility and the challenge of aid effectiveness and lessons learned from international engagement in these contexts. It highlights the major critical debates that are ongoing within the international development and academic community in relation to understanding and responding to fragile situations. It is intended primarily as a reference guide for policymakers. New publications and emerging issues are incorporated on a quarterly basis.

The guide was written by Claire Mcloughlin (GSDRC) in August 2009, in close collaboration with Professor Jo Beall (University of Cape Town) and Alina Rocha Menocal (Overseas Development Institute), and updated in Febraury 2010. The GSDRC also appreciates the contributions made by Alex Stevens (DFID) and Frederick Golooba Mutebi (Institute of Social Research, Kampala). Comments, questions or documents can be sent to Claire Mcloughlin: Claire@gsdrc.org.

Latest additions

The following documents were added in February 2010:

• European University Institute, 2009, ‘Overcoming Fragility in Africa: Forging a European Approach’, European Report on Development
• Bakrania, S., and Lucas, B., 2009, ‘The Impact of the Financial Crisis on Conflict and State Fragility in Sub-Saharan Africa’, GSDRC Emerging Issues Research Paper, Governance and Social Development Resource Centre, Birmingham
• UNDP, 2009, ‘Users Guide on Measuring Fragility’, UNDP Oslo Governance Centre, Oslo
• GSDRC, 2010, 'Deteriorating Governance', Helpdesk Research Report, GSDRC, Birmingham 
• Initiative for Peacebuilding, 2008, ‘State-society Analytical Framework’, Initiative for Peacebuilding
• Vincent, F., 2009, ‘Effective Poverty Reduction Strategies in Fragile and Conflict-affected Countries : Lessons and Suggestions’, World Bank, Washington
• Scheye, E., and McLean, A., 2006, 'Enhancing the Delivery of Justice and Security in Fragile States', OECD-DAC Network on Conflict, Peace and Development Co-operation (CPDC), Paris 
• OECD DAC, 2009, Armed Violence Reduction: Enabling Development', Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development - Development Assistance Committee (OECD-DAC), Paris 
• De Vries, H., and Specker, L., 2009, ‘Early Economic Recovery in Fragile States’, Clingendael Conflict Research Unit, The Hague 
• UNDP, 2008, 'Strengthening the Indigenous Drivers of Post-Conflict Economic Recovery’, Chapter 3 in Post-Conflict Economic Recovery: Enabling Local Ingenuity, Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR), UNDP, New York, pp. 48-105
• GSDRC, 2010, 'Economic Growth and State-building', Helpdesk Research Report, GSDRC, Birmingham 
• GSDRC, 2009, 'Long-Term Job Creation in Fragile States', Helpdesk Research Report, GSDRC, Birmingham
• NORAD, 2009, ‘The Legitimacy of the State in Fragile Situations’, NORAD and French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Bell, E., 2008, ‘Society in State-building: Lessons in Improving Democratic Governance’, Initiative for Peacebuilding 
• GSDRC, 2010, 'Decentralisation and Statebuilding', Helpdesk Research Report, GSDRC, Birmingham 
• OECD DAC, 2010, ‘Do No Harm: International Support for Statebuilding’, International Network on Conflict and Fragility (INCAF) 
• Shah K., 2009, 'The Failure of State Building and the Promise of State Failure: Reinterpreting the Security-Development Nexus in Haiti ', Third World Quarterly, London: Vol. 30, Issue 1, pp 17 — 34 
• Slaymaker, T., Christiansen, K. and Hemming, I., 2005, ‘Community-Based Approaches and Service Delivery: Issues and Options in Difficult Environments and Partnerships’, Overseas Development Institute, London 
• Baker, B. and Scheye, E., 2007, 'Multi-Layered Justice and Security Delivery in Post-Conflict and Fragile States' Conflict, Security and Development, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 503-528
• Van de Walle, S. and Scott, Z., 2009, 'The Role of Public Services in State- and Nation-building: Exploring Lessons from European History for Fragile States', GSDRC Research Paper, Governance and Social Development Resource Centre, Birmingham 
• Batley, R., and Mcloughlin, C., 2010, ‘Engagement with Non-State Service Providers in Fragile States: Reconciling State-Building and Service Delivery’, Development Policy Review, Volume 28 Issue 2, Pages 131 - 154 
• GSDRC, 2009, 'Donor Support to Non-state Providers of Security and Justice in Fragile States', Helpdesk Research Report, GSDRC, Birmingham 
• DFID, 2010, ‘Building Peaceful States and Societies: A DFID Practice Paper’, Department for International Development, London 
• DFID, 2010, Working Effectively in Conflict-affected and Fragile Situations: A Summary Note Department for International Development, London

 

New additions