state-building

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In his book State-building: Governance and world Order in the 21st Century, Francis Fukuyama examines the multiple dimensions of stateness and illustrates the significance of establishing a strong and capable state to individual states and the world order. As Fukuyama points out, it has been a recent trend to weaken stateness for some reasons. Many states were so powerful that they waged wars on their neighbours and the development of global economy tended to erode the autonomy and sovereignty of nation-states through international laws, rules, treaties and so forth. However, after September 11 event, the crucial issue for global politics will not be how to cut back the state sector; instead, it is vital to build the state up. Weakening states is harmful for individual state and for the global community. Weak stateness, figured by low level of capability, efficiency and institutional development, impedes the economic development in weak nation-states. Besides, weak states have become one potential birthplace of terrorism that probably poses threats to the developed countries as well as the world security.

The central questions raised by Fukuyama are that to what extent state-building is crucial to both individual states and the international system and in what way state capacity can be strengthened. In order to give a clear answer to this question, Fukuyama has divided his analysis into three long chapters. The first chapter sets out to present a framework for analysing the multiple dimensions of “stateness”.

One of the key distinctions made in Fukuyama’s book is that which exists between two dimensions of “stateness”—scope and strength. Fukuyama defines “the scope of state activities” as “the different functions and goals ta...

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... voucher privatization”, Challenge, 44 (4), 14-17.
Fukuyama, Francis (1989) “The End of History?”, The National Interest, 16: 3-18.
Fukuyama, Francis (1992) The End of History and the Last Man. London: Hamish Hamilton.
Fukuyama, Francis (1995) Trust: The Social Virtues and the Creation of Prosperity. New York: Free Press.
Fukuyama, Francis (2004) “The Imperative of State-building”, Journal of Democracy, 15 (2): 17-31.
Kosack, S. and Tobin, J (2006) “Funding Self-Sustaining Development: The Role of Aid, FDI and Government in Economic Success”, International Organisation, 60 (1): 205-243.
Przeworski, A. and Limongi, F (1993) “Political Regimes and Economic Growth”, Journal of Economic Perspectives, 7 (3):51-70.
Sirowy, L. and Inkeles, A (1990) “The Effects of Democracy on Economic Growth and Inequality: A Review”, Comparative International Development, 25 (1):126-157.

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