| ID | 156924 |
| Title Proper | International support for state building in war-torn Africa: Are there alternative strategies? |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Burgess, Stephen F |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | This article demonstrates that there are multiple strategies for state building, peace building, and security for civilian populations. In five cases of ongoing conflict, the liberal model of top-down state building and elections has caused considerable loss of lives and resources and could be considered to have failed. There are no long-term prospects for success in any of the five countries where the liberal model is being implemented with international assistance. The liberal model of power sharing followed by democratic elections has not provided greater protection from internal and external threats than would have one or more of the alternatives in four of the cases. In three of the cases, where there has been considerable bloodshed and displacement, freezing the conflict, separating the factions, and providing protection for civilian populations is an option that is less costly than the liberal model. Where conflicts are frozen, there can be international assistance for building the state in two or more sections. Where long-term prospects in building a unitary state are not good, freezing the conflict, protecting civilians, and sealing borders, as well as building the state from below, are less costly than the liberal model. |
| `In' analytical Note | Comparative Strategy Vol. 36, No.1-5; 2017: p.129-142 |
| Journal Source | Comparative Strategy Vol: 36 No 1-5 |
| Key Words | State Building ; International Support ; War-torn Africa |