State Fragility and Implications for Aid Allocation: An Empirical Analysis

• Published in: Conflict management and peace science Vol. 25; no. 4; pp. 349 - 373
• Main Authors: CARMENT, DAVID, SAMY, YIAGADEESEN, PREST, STEWART
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England Taylor & Francis Group, LLC 01.12.2008; SAGE Publications; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Allocation; Authority; Conflict; Countries; Democracy; Economic development; Economic indices; Failed states; Foreign Aid; Foreign policy; Fragile states; Interstate conflict; Legitimacy; Peacetime; Poverty; Stability; State Failure; Terrorism; Violence; risk assessment; failed states; Country Indicators for Foreign Policy; fragile states; foreign aid
• ISSN: 0738-8942; 1549-9219
• DOI: 10.1080/07388940802397509

In recent years, state fragility has gained importance as a result of the perceived links between poverty, conflict, and global terrorism. In this paper, we examine the relationship between state fragility and aid by evaluating the literature and research programs currently extant. We bring conceptual clarity to the issue by developing and testing an alternative theoretical framework using CIFP's fragility index (articulated around the concepts of authority, legitimacy, and capacity [ALC]) and by using data collected for the period 1999–2005 to identify the empirical determinants of fragility. We then examine the effects of state fragility on aid allocation, using the ALC framework as defined. Our results indicate that aid allocation is directed toward states on the basis of their capacity and authority scores and not on the basis of their legitimacy scores. Finally, we assess the theoretical and policy implications of these findings and specify directions for future research.