What are fragile states?
The World Bank in fragile situations: an issues paper. An eye on the future: the World Bank Group in a changing world
Building capable and accountable states in fragile situations
Authors:
A.R. Menocal; T. Othieno; A. Evans
Publisher:
Overseas Development Institute [ES], 2008
Engaging in fragile situations with the objective of building capable and accountable states has emerged as a central challenge for the international aid community. The World Bank has identified its work in fragile situations, with its implications for long term poverty reduction as well as stability and security, as a critical long term strategic priority. Yet, to date, experiences of international engagement in fragile settings have been mixed, with resource flows and technical support often falling considerably short of stated intentions. This paper from the Overseas Development Institute highlights strategic opportunities, challenges and questions facing the Bank and the international community as they seek to improve the effectiveness of their engagement in this area.
The document provides an explanation and further understanding of fragility as a concept underlining that a fragile situation is often one characterised by a fundamental lack of effective political processes that can bring state capacities and social expectations into equilibrium. Donor engagement strategies in fragile states are considered in addition to an overview of World Bank work in fragile states. The authors highlight that political understanding and effective support for state building is a core objective of international engagement in fragile settings. The importance of local leadership, conflict prevention and the resolution of tensions between short and long-term goals are also discussed. Considerable work remains to be done to improve donor collaboration. The authors conclude that there needs to be greater congruence between the objectives embraced by the international community (including the World Bank) and the resources it is willing and able to commit to such transformative efforts in fragile situations. There needs to be some recognition that while the state is fundamental to the transition out of fragility it is also part of the problem and that a state-centric approach also has its limitations.
