Empire in Denial : The Politics of State-Building

David Chandler argues that state-building, as it is currently conceived, does not work. In the 1990s, interventionist policies challenged the rights of individual states to self-governance. Today, non-Western states are more likely to be feted by international institutions offering programmes of poverty-reduction, democratisation and good governance. States without the right of self-government will always lack legitimate authority. The international policy agenda focuses on bureaucratic mechanisms, which can only instutiutionalise divisions between the West and the non-West and are unable to overcome the social and political divisions of post-conflict states. Highlighting the dangers of current policy — including the redefinition of sovereignty, and the subsquent erosion of ties linking power and accountability — David Chandler offers a critical look at state-building that will be of interest to all students of international affairs.Praise for From Kosovo to Kabul and Beyond:'A fine book.' Edward S. Herman 'Anyone concerned with world events should read this book.' Global Dialogue David Chandler argues that state-building, as it is currently conceived, does not work. In the 1990s, interventionist policies challenged the rights of individual states to self-governance. Today, non-Western states are more likely to be feted by international institutions offering programmes of poverty-reduction, democratisation and good governance. States without the right of self-government will always lack legitimate authority. The international policy agenda focuses on bureaucratic mechanisms, which can only instutiutionalise divisions between the West and the non-West and are unable to overcome the social and political divisions of post-conflict states. Highlighting the dangers of current policy -- including the redefinition of sovereignty, and the subsquent erosion of ties linking power and accountability -- David Chandler offers a critical look at state-building that will be of interest to all students of international affairs. Praise for From Kosovo to Kabul and 'A fine book.' Edward S. Herman 'Anyone concerned with world events should read this book.' Global Dialogue "In the 1990s, interventionist policies challenged the rights of individual states to self-governance. Today, non-Western states are more likely to be feted by international institutions offering programs of poverty-reduction, democratization and good governance. States without the right to self government will always lack legitimate authority. The international policy agenda focuses on bureaucratic mechanisms, which can only institutionalize divisions between the West and the non-West and are unable to overcome the social and political divisions of post-conflict states. Highlighting the dangers of current policy including the redefinition of sovereignty, and the subsequent erosion of ties linking power and accountability David Chandler offers a critical look at state-building that will be of interest to all students of international affairs." This book argues that state-building, as it is currently conceived, does not work.

In the 1990s, interventionist policies challenged the rights of individual states to self-governance. Today, non-western states are more likely to be feted by international institutions offering programmes of poverty-reduction, democratisation and good governance.

States without the right of self-government will always lack legitimate authority. The international policy agenda focuses on bureaucratic mechanisms, which can only institutionalise divisions between the West and the non-West and are unable to overcome the social and political divisions of post-conflict states. Highlighting the dangers of current policy - including the redefinition of sovereignty, and the subsequent erosion of ties linking power and accountability. David Chandler. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 195-215) And Index.