In recent years the concept of ‘state fragility’ in developing countries has received considerable attention in both the academic and policy environment; in sum, the argument is that countries with fragile state institutions are beset by conflict, chronic poverty and poor development progress. In global listings of ‘failed’, ‘fragile’, ‘conflict-affected’ or ‘conflict-vulnerable’ states, countries in Africa typically occupy the top ranks. For example, the 2013 Fund for Peace’s Failed States Index lists 33 countries in Africa in the top 50 in its annual ranking, and five African countries appear at the top of the list. . . .
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