Originally posted by Maharbbal
err… I am not sure how you put France and India under the same category.
Depends on what you mean by failed state. Is that "a state that may have issues in the future" (in which case France does fit) or is that "a state which in the short terms is likely to face such turmoil that may endanger its unity and the rule of law" (in that case France doesn't).
Pretty much every state face one or more serious separatist claim, so that is not a good definition.
|
I guess I may have been too liberal by putting France in this catogory.
Here's the definition of failed state though.
Ok for those of you who are asking for the definition of a failed state.
A failed state is a state whose central government is so weak or
ineffective that it has little practical control over much of its
territory. The level of control required to avoid being considered a
failed state varies considerably amongst authorities. Furthermore, the
declaration that a state has "failed" is generally controversial and,
when made authoritatively, may carry significant geopolitical
consequences
Indicators of State Vulnerability
The index's ranks are based on twelve indicators of state vulnerability
- four social, two economic and six political.[2] The indicators are
not designed to forecast when states may experience violence or
collapse. Instead, they are meant to measure a state's vulnerability to
collapse or conflict. All countries in the red, orange, or yellow
categories display some features that make parts of their societies and
institutions vulnerable to failure. Some in the yellow zone may be
failing at a faster rate than those in the more dangerous orange or red
zones, and therefore could experience violence sooner. Conversely, some
in the red zone, though critical, may exhibit some positive signs of
recovery or be deteriorating slowly, giving them time to adopt
mitigating strategies.[1]
[edit] Social Indicators
1. Demographic pressures: including the pressures deriving from high
population density relative to food supply and other life-sustaining
resources. The pressure from a population's settlement patterns and
physical settings, including border disputes, ownership or occupancy of
land, access to transportation outlets, control of religious or
historical sites, and proximity to environmental hazards.[3]
2. Massive movement of refugees and internally displaced peoples:
forced uprooting of large communities as a result of random or targeted
violence and/or repression, causing food shortages, disease, lack of
clean water, land competition, and turmoil that can spiral into larger
humanitarian and security problems, both within and between
countries.[4]
3. Legacy of vengeance-seeking group grievance: based on recent or past
injustices, which could date back centuries. Including atrocities
committed with impunity against communal groups and/or specific groups
singled out by state authorities, or by dominant groups, for
persecution or repression. Institutionalized political exclusion.
Public scapegoating of groups believed to have acquired wealth, status
or power as evidenced in the emergence of "hate" radio, pamphleteering
and stereotypical or nationalistic political rhetoric.[5]
4. Chronic and sustained human flight: both the "brain drain" of
professionals, intellectuals and political dissidents and voluntary
emigration of "the middle class." Growth of exile/expat communities are
also used as part of this indicator.[6]
[edit] Economic Indicators
5. Uneven economic development along group lines: determined by
group-based inequality, or perceived inequality, in education, jobs,
and economic status. Also measured by group-based poverty levels,
infant mortality rates, education levels.[7]
6. Sharp and/or severe economic decline: measured by a progressive
economic decline of the society as a whole (using: per capita income,
GNP, debt, child mortality rates, poverty levels, business failures.) A
sudden drop in commodity prices, trade revenue, foreign investment or
debt payments. Collapse or devaluation of the national currency and a
growth of hidden economies, including the drug trade, smuggling, and
capital flight. Failure of the state to pay salaries of government
employees and armed forces or to meet other financial obligations to
its citizens, such as pension payments.[8]
[edit] Political Indicators
7. Criminalization and/or delegitimisation of the state: endemic
corruption or profiteering by ruling elites and resistance to
transparency, accountability and political representation. Includes any
widespread loss of popular confidence in state institutions and
processes.[9]
8. Progressive deterioration of public services: a disappearance of
basic state functions that serve the people, including failure to
protect citizens from terrorism and violence and to provide essential
services, such as health, education, sanitation, public transportation.
Also using the state apparatus for agencies that serve the ruling
elites, such as the security forces, presidential staff, central bank,
diplomatic service, customs and collection agencies.[10]
9. Widespread violation of human rights: an emergence of authoritarian,
dictatorial or military rule in which constitutional and democratic
institutions and processes are suspended or manipulated. Outbreaks of
politically inspired (as opposed to criminal) violence against innocent
civilians. A rising number of political prisoners or dissidents who are
denied due process consistent with international norms and practices.
Any widespread abuse of legal, political and social rights, including
those of individuals, groups or cultural institutions (e.g., harassment
of the press, politicization of the judiciary, internal use of military
for political ends, public repression of political opponents, religious
or cultural persecution.)[11]
10. Security apparatus as ‘state within a state’: an emergence of elite
or praetorian guards that operate with impunity. Emergence of
state-sponsored or state-supported private militias that terrorize
political opponents, suspected "enemies," or civilians seen to be
sympathetic to the opposition. An "army within an army" that serves the
interests of the dominant military or political clique. Emergence of
rival militias, guerilla forces or private armies in an armed struggle
or protracted violent campaigns against state security forces.[12]
11. Rise of factionalised elites: a fragmentation of ruling elites and
state institutions along group lines. Any use of nationalistic
political rhetoric by ruling elites, often in terms of communal
irredentism or of communal solidarity (e.g., "ethnic cleansing" or
"defending the faith.")[13]
12. Intervention of other states or external factors: military or
Para-military engagement in the internal affairs of the state at risk
by outside armies, states, identity groups or entities that affect the
internal balance of power or resolution of the conflict. Intervention
by donors, especially if there is a tendency towards over-dependence on
foreign aid or peacekeeping missions.[14]
This is according to Wikipedia