Un Discourses and Practices in Fragile States: Global Politics and the Contested Terrain of Intervention

Protecting the Global Civilian from Violence: UN Discourses and Practices in Fragile States (Global Politics and the Responsibility to Protect)

by Timo Kivimäki

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	9198 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	258 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled
Hardcover	:	184 pages
Item Weight	:	15.2 ounces
Dimensions	:	9.3 x 0.7 x 6.4 inches

FREE

Fragile states, characterized by weak institutions, widespread poverty, and endemic conflict, have emerged as a central concern in global politics. The United Nations (UN),as the primary international organization tasked with addressing global challenges, has played a significant role in shaping discourses and practices related to fragile states. This article examines the UN's engagement with fragile states, exploring the discourses that inform its responses and the challenges and opportunities that arise from its interventions.

Discourses on Fragile States

The concept of "fragile states" has gained prominence in recent decades, reflecting a shift in understanding the causes and consequences of state fragility. The UN has played a key role in developing and disseminating discourses on fragile states, emphasizing the following key themes:

1. State failure and conflict: Fragile states are often characterized by high levels of violence and instability, which can result in state collapse and humanitarian crises.
2. Weak governance and corruption: Fragile states often struggle with weak institutions, corruption, and a lack of accountability, which undermines their ability to provide essential services and maintain social order.
3. Poverty and inequality: Fragile states are typically plagued by high levels of poverty and inequality, which can contribute to social unrest and political instability.

These discourses have shaped the UN's approach to fragile states, focusing on addressing the root causes of fragility through a combination of humanitarian aid, development assistance, and peacebuilding efforts.

Intervention in Fragile States

The UN's involvement in fragile states is marked by a complex and often contested interplay of humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding agendas. Humanitarian aid is primarily aimed at providing immediate relief to conflict-affected populations, while development assistance seeks to address the underlying causes of poverty and inequality. Peacebuilding efforts, on the other hand, focus on strengthening governance, promoting reconciliation, and rebuilding war-torn societies.

The tension between these different agendas has led to debates about the effectiveness and legitimacy of UN interventions in fragile states. Some argue that humanitarian aid and development assistance can unintentionally prolong conflicts by creating dependency and undermining local coping mechanisms. Others maintain that peacebuilding efforts must be accompanied by parallel humanitarian and development interventions to address the underlying causes of fragility.

Challenges and Opportunities

The UN's engagement with fragile states poses a number of challenges, including:

1. Security risks: UN personnel operating in fragile states face significant security risks, which can limit their ability to deliver assistance and support peacebuilding efforts.
2. Lack of local ownership: Interventions that are not driven by local needs and priorities can undermine their legitimacy and effectiveness.
3. Coordination and coherence: Coordinating the efforts of multiple UN agencies and international organizations in fragile states can be challenging, leading to duplication and inefficiency.

Despite these challenges, the UN's involvement in fragile states also presents opportunities for positive change. By providing humanitarian assistance, supporting development initiatives, and promoting peacebuilding, the UN can help to alleviate suffering, address the root causes of fragility, and build more resilient and peaceful societies.

The UN's discourses and practices in fragile states reflect the complex and contested terrain of global politics. The organization faces a delicate balancing act, striving to provide humanitarian assistance, promote development, and build peace while navigating security risks and managing the tensions between competing agendas. By understanding the challenges and opportunities involved in UN interventions, scholars and policymakers can contribute to more effective and sustainable responses to the challenges of fragile states.

Protecting the Global Civilian from Violence: UN Discourses and Practices in Fragile States (Global Politics and the Responsibility to Protect)

by Timo Kivimäki

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	9198 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	258 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled
Hardcover	:	184 pages
Item Weight	:	15.2 ounces
Dimensions	:	9.3 x 0.7 x 6.4 inches

FREE