States at Risk and Failed States

Publication Date: September 2004

Publisher: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Author(s): Stefan Mair; Marina Ottaway

Research Area: Government

Type: Brief

Abstract:

Failing and failed states are a threat to their citizens and to the international community, creating a need for international intervention. The oft-advocated model of early intervention to restore human security in states at risk cannot be implemented except in rare cases, because it requires large resources. In addressing failing states, the international community should concentrate first and foremost on the narrower and more achievable task of restoring state security. But it should also accept that in some cases the restructuring of the state may be the only way of restoring human security.