State Failure (Global Issues)

Andrew Taylor provides an overview of the origins, evolution, and impact of state failure since the 1990s. Avoiding quickly outdated country-based case studies, he focuses on failure as a process rather than an event, putting contemporary usage in a wider historical context. "During the 1990s the concept of state failure emerged as part of an attempt to explain and understand the complex, post-Cold War, new world dis-order. State failure achieved prominence, being applied to situations of institutional collapse and mass violence that appeared to herald a new level of international instability. Ungoverned territories hosted criminal networks, narco-barons, and terrorists; they would be sources of threats flowing from environmental degradation and disease. The failed state influenced profoundly international politics in early-21st century. Exploring critically the emergence, evolution and consequences of the state failure concept, Andrew Taylor concludes that despite a superficial plausibility, it lacks sufficient theoretical and empirical rigour to understand the varying phenomena gathered under the heading of state failure. This lack of intellectual depth renders it dangerous as a guide to policy."--Publisher's website Andrew Taylor Provides An Overview Of The Origins, Evolution, And Impact Of State Failure Since The 1990s. Avoiding Quickly Outdatedcountry-based Case Studies, He Focuses On Failure As A Process Rather Than An Event, Putting Contemporary Usage In A Wider Historical Context. Cover; Contents; List Of Figures And Tables; Acknowledgements; 1 Introduction; 2 Definitions; 3 Measurement; 4 History; 5 Sovereignty; 6 Violence; 7 Environment; 8 Governance; 9 Consequences; 10 Conclusions; Bibliography; Index. Andrew Taylor. Front Matter....Pages i-vii Introduction....Pages 1-6 Definitions....Pages 7-30 Measurement....Pages 31-58 History....Pages 59-88 Sovereignty....Pages 89-117 Violence....Pages 118-140 Environment....Pages 141-168 Governance....Pages 169-196 Consequences....Pages 197-223 Conclusions....Pages 224-228 Back Matter....Pages 229-259