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Handle with care: fragile states and the determinants of fragility

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  • Simon Feeny
  • Alberto Posso
  • Jonathan Regan-Beasley

Abstract

The international community has grave concerns over the capacity of so-called 'fragile states' to effectively deliver basic services to their people due to their weak policy and institutional environments. This article examines the drivers of state fragility. The World Bank and OECD definitions of fragility are adopted using the World Bank's Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) scores. Analysis is conducted on both binary measures of fragility and the actual CPIA scores using an array of estimation techniques. Findings indicate that democracy, income levels, economic growth, levels of education, country size and natural resource rents are important determinants of fragility. Unlike other studies, findings also suggest that being a Small Island Development State is a primary driver of fragility.

Suggested Citation

  • Simon Feeny & Alberto Posso & Jonathan Regan-Beasley, 2015. "Handle with care: fragile states and the determinants of fragility," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(11), pages 1073-1085, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:applec:v:47:y:2015:i:11:p:1073-1085
    DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2014.990621
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vallings, Claire & Moreno-Torres, Magui, 2005. "Drivers Of Fragility: What Makes States Fragile?," PRDE Working Papers 12824, Department for International Development (DFID) (UK).
    2. Graziella Bertocchi & Andrea Guerzoni, 2010. "Growth, History, or Institutions? What Explains State Fragility in Sub-Saharan Africa," Department of Economics 0625, University of Modena and Reggio E., Faculty of Economics "Marco Biagi".
    3. Fenske, James, 2010. "Institutions in African history and development: A review essay," MPRA Paper 23120, University Library of Munich, Germany.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yapatake Kossele Thales Pacific, 2020. "Fragility of State in Central African Republic: An Econometric Approach to Efficiency Understanding," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 21(3), pages 681-697, June.
    2. Pacific K. T. Yapatake, 2018. "Fragility of State in Central African Republic: An Econometric Approach to Efficiency Understanding," CEREDEC Working Papers 18/002, Centre de Recherche pour le Développement Economique (CEREDEC).
    3. Charles Shaaba Saba & Nicholas Ngepah, 2019. "A cross-regional analysis of military expenditure, state fragility and economic growth in Africa," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 53(6), pages 2885-2915, November.
    4. Ijirshar, Victor Ushahemba & Andohol, Jerome, 2022. "Investment-growth nexus in West Africa: An assessment of whether fragility matter," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 1-17.
    5. IACOBUTA Andreea-Oana & ASANDULUI Mircea & TIGANAS Claudiu-Gabriel, 2015. "Institutional Environment, Initial Conditions And State Fragility In Post-Communist Countries," Revista Economica, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 67(4), pages 63-77.

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