The Characteristics Of A State, And What Could Cause South Africa
Essay 1: Discuss the characteristics of a state, and what could cause South Africa or any other state in Africa to be a failed state.
The term ‘state’ has been used to refer to a number of things, from a collection of institutions to a territorial unit and even a philosophical idea. The state, however, can be easily understood as apolitical and legal entity with power over the people in its territorial boundaries. This essay will examine a states characteristics as well as examine the causes of failed states in Africa by analyzing the case of Somalia.
Understanding the state and its characteristics.
There are three main approaches to understanding the state. Namely, the Functionalist approach, the Organisational approach and the Idealist …show more content…
(Olivier, 2013). According to the political theories of Max Weber, a state could be said to ‘succeed’ if it maintains a monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force within its boarders. When this is broken e.g., through the dominant presence of warlords, paramilitary groups or terrorism, the very existence of the state becomes dubious and the state becomes a failed state. A failed state can be characterised by a loss of control of its territory; destruction of legitimate authority to make collective decisions; inability to provide public services and the inability to interact with other states as a full member of the international community
Possible pathways to state failure would be escalation of communal (ethnic or religious) conflict; regional or guerilla rebellion; state predation(corrupt or crony corralling of resources at the expense of other groups); democratic collapse(leading to civil war) and succession or reform in authoritarian groups. (Goldstone, …show more content…
In terms of the economy, Somalia has failed to provide its citizens with a stable economic environment and sustainable and fair growth. In terms of security, the state has been unable to provide its citizens with physical security due to the occurrence and intensity of violent conflict, perceptions of political instability and territory affected by conflict. In terms of social welfare, the state has failed to meet the citizens’ basic human needs, including nutrition, education, health and access to clean water and sanitation. This has led to the increase of famine. Politically, the state bureaucracy and institutions have been unable to function independently, effectively and
The term ‘state’ has been used to refer to a number of things, from a collection of institutions to a territorial unit and even a philosophical idea. The state, however, can be easily understood as apolitical and legal entity with power over the people in its territorial boundaries. This essay will examine a states characteristics as well as examine the causes of failed states in Africa by analyzing the case of Somalia.
Understanding the state and its characteristics.
There are three main approaches to understanding the state. Namely, the Functionalist approach, the Organisational approach and the Idealist …show more content…
(Olivier, 2013). According to the political theories of Max Weber, a state could be said to ‘succeed’ if it maintains a monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force within its boarders. When this is broken e.g., through the dominant presence of warlords, paramilitary groups or terrorism, the very existence of the state becomes dubious and the state becomes a failed state. A failed state can be characterised by a loss of control of its territory; destruction of legitimate authority to make collective decisions; inability to provide public services and the inability to interact with other states as a full member of the international community
Possible pathways to state failure would be escalation of communal (ethnic or religious) conflict; regional or guerilla rebellion; state predation(corrupt or crony corralling of resources at the expense of other groups); democratic collapse(leading to civil war) and succession or reform in authoritarian groups. (Goldstone, …show more content…
In terms of the economy, Somalia has failed to provide its citizens with a stable economic environment and sustainable and fair growth. In terms of security, the state has been unable to provide its citizens with physical security due to the occurrence and intensity of violent conflict, perceptions of political instability and territory affected by conflict. In terms of social welfare, the state has failed to meet the citizens’ basic human needs, including nutrition, education, health and access to clean water and sanitation. This has led to the increase of famine. Politically, the state bureaucracy and institutions have been unable to function independently, effectively and