International Development Organizations and Fragile States: Law and Disorder

The book explores how international organizations like the World Bank engage with countries with weak or no governments, challenging conventional research that dismisses state fragility as a phenomenon beyond law. It argues that the legal parameters for effective global policy play a crucial role and offers a fresh approach to international security and development.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 259 pages
\n Publication date: 10 January 2018
\n Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG
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The law of development cooperation presents a significant challenge for the international development community, particularly when it comes to delivering aid to countries that require it the most. The presence of a stable and effective government is a fundamental prerequisite for the transfer of aid, making development cooperation with "fragile nations" particularly complex. In response, international organizations such as the World Bank have implemented formal and informal rules to engage with countries lacking robust or nonexistent governments.

The author delves into the discourse surrounding fragile states and examines how it has influenced the policy decisions of international organizations. Von Engelhardt offers a critical analysis of this discourse, challenging the notion that state fragility can be dismissed as a phenomenon beyond the realm of law. By highlighting the significant consequences that perceptions of fragility can have in both practice and legal terms, the work challenges conventional research that tends to overlook the legal dimensions of state fragility. Furthermore, it argues that the legal parameters for effective global policy play a crucial role and presents a fresh perspective on a topic that is central to international security and development.

One of the key findings of the book is that the legal framework for development cooperation can be used to promote stability and security in fragile states. By establishing clear legal parameters and standards, international organizations can ensure that aid is distributed in a transparent and accountable manner, minimizing the risk of corruption and mismanagement. Moreover, the legal framework can provide a platform for engaging with governments that may be weak or unstable, fostering dialogue and cooperation to address shared challenges and promote long-term development.

However, the book also acknowledges that the legal framework alone is not sufficient to address the complex challenges posed by state fragility. It emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach that combines legal, political, and social factors to promote stability and development. This approach should involve engaging with local communities, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to build capacity and promote sustainable development.

In conclusion, this book offers a valuable contribution to the literature on state fragility and development cooperation. By exploring the legal dimensions of state fragility and the role of international organizations in responding to it, the author provides a fresh perspective on a topic that is central to international security and development. The book challenges conventional research and offers practical solutions for promoting stability and development in fragile states. It is a must-read for policymakers, practitioners, and scholars interested in addressing the complex challenges of state fragility and promoting global peace and prosperity.

\n Weight: 261g\n
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 6 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9783319626949\n
Edition number: 1st ed. 2018\n