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CONCEPT OF FAILED STATE
An Analysis

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State failure is a retrogressive situation whereby the capacity of a state to
achieve and sustain political stability over a considerable duration
Brooks (2005) defines state failure in comparison with successful countries
A successful country manages to control its territory and the conduct of
persons within its boundaries, initiates and sustains productive diplomatic
relations with other countries
Successful states are capable of controlling internal violence in their territory
and adequately provides social goods to their populations
Failed states, on the other hand, are incapable of fulfilling any of the above
mandates

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A majority of failed states are characterized by warlordism, widespread inequality,
economic stagnation, uncontrolled violence, and inability to create and sustain national
peace and harmony (Brooks, 2005)
The extent of failure can range from total systematic collapse, such as in Somalia,
progressive disintegration of national cohesion, as witnessed in Yugoslavia, or rampant
clashes as in Congo, Rwanda, and Haiti
A country can deteriorate gradually from a weak state to a failed nation
Weak states are characterized by delicate governance structures and their condition can
easily deteriorate into a failed state
The term ‘failed state’ was initially associated to African countries but the available
evidence has proven failure can arise in any state regardless of its geographical location

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Some of the factors that can drive deterioration of a country in a weak state to
fail include loss of border control, inability to safeguard peace and nurture the
rule of law, and prolonged economic degradation (Hashi, 2015)
External actors often exacerbate the incidence of state failure although their
role is often overlooked in literature
Examples of external actors include colonial rulers, influential countrie...