Parallel Sessions II

B) Failed States in Sub-Saharan Africa: Causes, Consequences and Potential Interventions

Conveners:

Gabi Hesselbein, Center for Comparative and International Studies (CIS), ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Barbara Becker , Network for International Development and Cooperation (NIDECO), ETH Zurich, Switzerland

Chair:

Barbara Becker, Executive Manager, Network for International Development and Cooperation (NIDECO), ETH Zurich, Switzerland

Opening:
Gabi Hesselbein, Center for Comparative and International Studies (CIS), ETH Zurich, Sitzerland

Speakers

James Putzel, Director, Crisis States Research Centre, London School of Economics and Political Sciences (LSE), U.K.
Jean-Pierre Lindiro Kabirigi, Pole Institute, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
Salman Bal, Assistant to the Representative on Conflict Issues, Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs EDA, Berne, Switzerland

Abstract

The group "International Relations" of the Centre for Comparative and International Studies (CIS) of the University and ETH Zurich (Switzerland) has been investigating state failure in sub-Saharan Africa as a phenomenon of particularly severe political instability and insecurity. State failure means the dissolution of central political and economic institutions, and the struggle among competing groups for authority or governance in parts of a given territory, for the exercise of the monopoly of violence, and for the extraction of resources (e.g. natural resources, taxes). It is hypothesised that the origins of state failure are not country-specific but are similar across African countries. The research project, carried out in collaboration with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the World Bank, concentrates on the ability of the modern sector economy to integrate subsistence economies. It is claimed that deficiencies or failure of such integration promote political fragmentation and ultimately state failure.

The panel will present the research results so far and will address the following questions:

What are the causes of state failure?
What could and should governments of developing nations do to prevent or confront state failure?
How can development cooperation assist such states?

The author of the study, Gabi Hesselbein, will introduce the subject. Three selected panel members will comment the presentation. After a response by G. Hesselbein, the floor will be opened for discussion with the participants.

Session Report

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10th General Conference