For this week's assigned blog, we were not only asked to read and review two articles, but to also define the term 'failed state'; not only in the most technical of terms, but also the "student friendly" definition. Therefore upon researching, I found the following definition:Failed state:* loss of physical control of its territory, or of the monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force therein,* erosion of legitimate authority to make collective decisions* an inability to provide reasonable public services, and* an inability to interact with other states as a full member of the international community.Common characteristics of a failing state include a central government so weak or ineffective that it has little practical control over much of its territory; non-provision of public services; widespread corruption and criminality; refugees and involuntary movement of populations; and sharp economic decline [1].(Source: Wikipedia)Basically, a failing state's government is weak, and it's authority does little to control the people or property within. Laws end up broken, people end up dead, and a solution seems impossible to reach. The downturn in the economy worsens the effect, and few nations seem to return from this brink.This definition is a lovely segue to the two articles we were assigned to read and summarize; Failing Nations: Why Things Fall Apart, and Shattered Somalia.
The first article, Failing Nations, explains that one event; whether it be a war, an invasion, or a disaster, can spark a chain of events that can lead to the beginning of chaos for a nation. Many governments, whether in their inability or unwillingness to provide certain services to their people, feed the growing disaster.Hence, these nations grow and develop terrorism, political radicalism, and widespread crime. These effects are not only enclosed in the nation in question, but they spread to the surrounding nations and eventually, the world.Geography tends to be a large part of the problem for many countries on the brink of disaster. A flood of refugees into a country because of its neighbor's war is a common problem; no better example than Syria. The war in Iraq has brought waves of people into the country and shaken it brutally.Lastly, the article stresses that though history, geography, and war play influences in the failure of a nation, we must not forget our own past. I agree with this. We fought a brutal civil war, we have shed so much blood to make our nation the way it is now, and though, if needed, we should reach out to help these nations, we should also practice patience. India and South Africa reformed themselves. Maybe we should allow other countries to do the same.The second article focuses mainly on Somalia, one of the most well known failed states. It tells the story of a young man named Muhammad, who was basically born into a dying nation. His wages of two or three dollars a day feed his large family. It explains how if his father hadn't been severely injured by a mortar years before, his family wouldn't be so dependent upon him.The coast of Somalia is also plagued by violent pirating groups that prey on unsuspecting sea traffic. The interior though, cannot be named as more peaceful; for friction between government forces has caused horrible breakouts of violence and death.Those who are lucky have migrated to areas outside the lines of conflict, such as Kenya or Yemen. Others have found their place in camps for internationally displaced people. Yet, others still have decided to stay in their country, to find refuge in abandoned buildings. They refuse to leave, "we are prepared to die here," says Muhammad.
, A large part of the problem in Somalia is the conflict between the 5 main clan groups. They began to crumble at the arrival of the Europeans. Soon, divisions and tensions between these groups resulted in a war that tore the country at its seems. Now, people go hungry, people die, innocents are punished for the deeds of others.My heart hurts for these people, for the pain they must endure. I feel so sorry for people like Muhammad and their families, people who, of no fault of their own, have been failed by their government. They go hungry, they are caught in explosions or incapacitated by mortars and cannot support their families. I know that we try to help these people, we try to reach out, but at a certain point, is it enough? Wouldn't we want the very same sympathy if it was us? Would we not want as much help as we could get to get ourselves back up on our feet? As citizens of the world, don't we owe it to people like Muhammad?
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