State fragility and international recognition

Nicolas Lemay-Hébert*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

    3 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    This chapter considers how the evolving norms and practices of international recognition relate to the ‘state fragility’ policy agenda. First, the chapter discusses contemporary state failure and state fragility discussion, introducing the ‘consensual’ definition of state fragility and its origins. Second, it directly links the (modern) state fragility discussion with international recognition and statebuilding issues. The chapter shows that the conventional criteria for statehood do not include standards relating to the capacity of state institutions and contain no formal provisions for withdrawing statehood in the event of failure to meet objective standards of state capacity or performance. Nevertheless, there have been academic debates about the possibility of the ‘decertification’ of statehood when states do not meet normative standards set by the ‘international community’. Finally, the chapter closes on the very recent discussion of state fragility, tying the concept with resilience and risk.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationRoutledge Handbook of State Recognition
    PublisherTaylor and Francis
    Pages306-315
    Number of pages10
    ISBN (Electronic)9781351131742
    ISBN (Print)9780815354871
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 12 Sept 2019

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