BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

THE PHENOMENON OF FRAGILE STATES: THE CONCEPTUAL DEBATE, IMPLICATIONS AND GLOBAL RESPONSE

Author: Delwar Hossain

DOI Link: https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2009v30n2a5

ABSTRACT

This article focuses on the conceptual debate surrounding the notion of fragile states. The argument in the paper is predominantly focused on theoretical parameters of fragile states developed both by donor driven knowledge and academics in the Post-Cold War period. The objectives are, first, to shed light on different views on conceptual understanding of fragile states, in order to establish if it is true, as some contend, that the idea of fragile state is nothing new and we have seen most of it before in different expressions. It is to show how conceptions of fragile states are reflected in the grand narratives of donor ; agencies and countries. And, second, to foreground specific challenges fragile States are posing to the global community and what global response is available to revitalize fragile states. The paper argues that the donor-driven framework is too reductive and deterministic in its assumptions regarding fragile states. So it requires producing new and historically unique mixes of the national and the global domains. The paper also argues that there is a need for more academic engagement on fragile states which would help further refining of our conceptual framework to understand various dimensions of fragile states.