Introduction
The issue of “failed” states, including the negative consequences of state failure, has recently drawn significant attention from a number of international actors. Failed states are seen as being linked to a range of problems—economic, social, political, and military. And they are associated with a wide range of negative consequences for their own populations, their neighbors, their regions, and the global community. The Economist (2005, 45) stated that “[t]he chief reason why the world should worry about state failure is that it is contagious.”
A similar concern has been echoed by international organizations such as the World Bank, A previous version of this paper was presented at the 40th North American Meeting of the Peace Science Society (International), November 10–12, 2006, Columbus, Ohio, and we wish to thank a number of conference participants for their comments.
