This paper examines the tensions between the long-term goal of building government capacity as the basis for sustainable development and the equally important but shorter-term goal of securing a political settlement and delivering basic security. When these two objectives are pursued separately, they can conflict with each other. The need for quick results on the political or security front can, if pursued independently of development efforts, undermine those efforts to build a sustainable, stable and inclusive state. The paper suggests an approach that draws these different objectives together around a single objective or ‘centre of gravity’. © Overseas Development Institute 2009.
Download “Reconnecting Joined-up Approaches: Nation-building through state-building” (PDF – 295Kb)