The politics of conflict and fragility

Engaging effectively in fragile states has become a key priority for the international development community. While there is no firm consensus on exactly what constitutes a "fragile" state or situation, there is general agreement on some key characteristics. These include:

• the presence of weak institutions and governance systems;
• a fundamental lack of leadership, state capacity and/or political will to fulfil essential state functions, especially in terms of providing basic services to the poor.

Conflict often exacerbates fragility, though states that are not characterised by conflict may also be considered fragile.

The Politics and Governance Programme understands that fragility is a deeply political phenomenon. Our research and policy work seeks to inform international actors on how to better support state-building efforts in fragile situations by focusing not only on building the technical capacities and effectiveness of state institutions, but also in terms of power, incentives, and the dynamic political process of reconstituting the political and social contract between state and society.

We also address the multiple tensions and dilemmas that international development actors face in their attempts to foster more peaceful and resilient states.