The dilemma of the failed state thesis in post-9/11 world affairs
The 9/11 terrorist attacks shifted the emphasis of failed states as just a regional humanitarian problem to one that could present a global security threat. In this regard US policymakers, especially, identified failed states as possible terrorist threats. However, this renewed attention to the stud...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Afrikaans |
| Published: |
Scriber Editorial Systems
2008-07-01
|
| Series: | Koers : Bulletin for Christian Scholarship |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.koersjournal.org.za/index.php/koers/article/view/182 |
| _version_ | 1818147554029731840 |
|---|---|
| author | A. Schoeman |
| author_facet | A. Schoeman |
| author_sort | A. Schoeman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The 9/11 terrorist attacks shifted the emphasis of failed states as just a regional humanitarian problem to one that could present a global security threat. In this regard US policymakers, especially, identified failed states as possible terrorist threats. However, this renewed attention to the study of state failure has exposed a number of theoretical weaknesses in this body of literature. The latter could mainly be ascribed to the way in which US policy makers have often used generalised definitions of failed states and then applied it to states that are perceived as threats. Another problem is the fact that government sponsored research institutes and think tanks are operating independently from university academics. This situation has caused theoretical confusion as conditions in failed states are often interpreted differently resulting in the development of a number of opposing theories, definitions and confusing classification models. The body of literature is further accused of endorsing a “Weberian” definition (ideal type) of the state against which degrees of “failure” in non-complying states are measured. This article will investigate the extent of these theoretical weaknesses and expose the dangers of following an approach that seem to misinterpret the political realities of developing states (often regarded as failed) – this despite having an extensive popular following. It will further focus on possible alternative approaches – or the formulation of ideas that are better suited and relevant to the often unique internal political, social and economic dynamics of unstable states. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T12:37:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8c95169a55b44e739abd46969cfe001f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0023-270X 2304-8557 |
| language | Afrikaans |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T12:37:05Z |
| publishDate | 2008-07-01 |
| publisher | Scriber Editorial Systems |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Koers : Bulletin for Christian Scholarship |
| spelling | doaj.art-8c95169a55b44e739abd46969cfe001f2022-12-22T01:07:06ZafrScriber Editorial SystemsKoers : Bulletin for Christian Scholarship0023-270X2304-85572008-07-0173410.4102/koers.v73i4.182The dilemma of the failed state thesis in post-9/11 world affairsA. Schoeman0Department of Political Science, University of the Free State, Qwaqwa CampusThe 9/11 terrorist attacks shifted the emphasis of failed states as just a regional humanitarian problem to one that could present a global security threat. In this regard US policymakers, especially, identified failed states as possible terrorist threats. However, this renewed attention to the study of state failure has exposed a number of theoretical weaknesses in this body of literature. The latter could mainly be ascribed to the way in which US policy makers have often used generalised definitions of failed states and then applied it to states that are perceived as threats. Another problem is the fact that government sponsored research institutes and think tanks are operating independently from university academics. This situation has caused theoretical confusion as conditions in failed states are often interpreted differently resulting in the development of a number of opposing theories, definitions and confusing classification models. The body of literature is further accused of endorsing a “Weberian” definition (ideal type) of the state against which degrees of “failure” in non-complying states are measured. This article will investigate the extent of these theoretical weaknesses and expose the dangers of following an approach that seem to misinterpret the political realities of developing states (often regarded as failed) – this despite having an extensive popular following. It will further focus on possible alternative approaches – or the formulation of ideas that are better suited and relevant to the often unique internal political, social and economic dynamics of unstable states.https://www.koersjournal.org.za/index.php/koers/article/view/182Failed State ThesisFailed StatesTerrorist ThreatLiberal-Democratic RegimeWeberian Ideal Type State |
| spellingShingle | A. Schoeman The dilemma of the failed state thesis in post-9/11 world affairs Koers : Bulletin for Christian Scholarship Failed State Thesis Failed States Terrorist Threat Liberal-Democratic Regime Weberian Ideal Type State |
| title | The dilemma of the failed state thesis in post-9/11 world affairs |
| title_full | The dilemma of the failed state thesis in post-9/11 world affairs |
| title_fullStr | The dilemma of the failed state thesis in post-9/11 world affairs |
| title_full_unstemmed | The dilemma of the failed state thesis in post-9/11 world affairs |
| title_short | The dilemma of the failed state thesis in post-9/11 world affairs |
| title_sort | dilemma of the failed state thesis in post 9 11 world affairs |
| topic | Failed State Thesis Failed States Terrorist Threat Liberal-Democratic Regime Weberian Ideal Type State |
| url | https://www.koersjournal.org.za/index.php/koers/article/view/182 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT aschoeman thedilemmaofthefailedstatethesisinpost911worldaffairs AT aschoeman dilemmaofthefailedstatethesisinpost911worldaffairs |