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Engaging with Fragile and Conflict-Affected States: An Alternative Approach to Theory, Measurement and Practice

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  • Michael Woolcock

Abstract

The coherence and effectiveness of engagement with the world's 'fragile and conflict-affected states'—beyond ethical imperatives and geo-strategic considerations—turns on answers to two vexing questions. First, on what defensible basis is any given country, at any given historical moment, deemed to be (or not to be) 'fragile'? Second, if a defining characteristic of state fragility is low levels of capability to implement core responsibilities, how can international agencies best support domestic public organizations to acquire capability?

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Woolcock, 2014. "Engaging with Fragile and Conflict-Affected States: An Alternative Approach to Theory, Measurement and Practice," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2014-097, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2014-097
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    File URL: https://www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/wp2014-097.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Greg Larson & Peter Biar Ajak & Lant Pritchett, 2013. "South Sudan’s Capability Trap: Building a State with Disruptive Innovation," CID Working Papers 268, Center for International Development at Harvard University.
    2. Andrews, Matt & Pritchett, Lant & Woolcock, Michael, 2013. "Escaping Capability Traps Through Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA)," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 234-244.
    3. Andrews,Matt, 2013. "The Limits of Institutional Reform in Development," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9781107016330, November.
    4. Michael Woolcock, 2013. "Using Case Studies to Explore the External Validity of ‘Complex’ Development Interventions," CID Working Papers 270, Center for International Development at Harvard University.
    5. Matt Andrews, 2008. "The Good Governance Agenda: Beyond Indicators without Theory," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(4), pages 379-407.
    6. Alberto Chong & Rafael La Porta & Florencio Lopez-de-Silanes & Andrei Shleifer, 2014. "Letter Grading Government Efficiency," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 12(2), pages 277-299, April.
    7. Frauke de Weijer, 2013. "A Capable State in Afghanistan: a Building Without a Foundation?," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2013-063, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    8. Ghani, Ashraf & Lockhart, Clare, 2009. "Fixing Failed States: A Framework for Rebuilding a Fractured World," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780195398618.
    9. de Weijer, Frauke, 2013. "A Capable State in Afghanistan: A Building Without a Foundation?," WIDER Working Paper Series 063, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    10. Woolcock, Michael, 2013. "Using Case Studies to Explore the External Validity of 'Complex' Development Interventions," Working Paper Series rwp13-048, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government.
    11. Lant Pritchett & Michael Woolcock & Matt Andrews, 2013. "Looking Like a State: Techniques of Persistent Failure in State Capability for Implementation," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(1), pages 1-18, January.
    12. Frauke de Weijer, 2013. "A Capable State in Afghanistan: A Building Without a Foundation?," Working Papers id:5452, eSocialSciences.
    13. Frauke de Weijer, 2013. "A Capable State in Afghanistan," CID Working Papers 59, Center for International Development at Harvard University.
    14. Daniel Adler & Caroline Sage & Michael Woolcock, 2009. "Interim Institutions and the Development Process: Opening Spaces for Reform in Cambodia and Indonesia," Global Development Institute Working Paper Series 8609, GDI, The University of Manchester.
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    Cited by:

    1. Davidson, Angus Alexander & Young, Michael Denis & Leake, John Espie & O’Connor, Patrick, 2022. "Aid and forgetting the enemy: A systematic review of the unintended consequences of international development in fragile and conflict-affected situations," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    2. Piffaretti, Nadia F., 2014. "Elements for a Conceptual Model of Fragility," MPRA Paper 77861, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Andrews, Matt & Pritchett, Lant & Woolcock, Michael, 2017. "Building State Capability: Evidence, Analysis, Action," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198747482.

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