Since the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, nation-states have been defined by finite geographical boundaries. Shared ethnicity, religion, social and cultural traditions are the reason(s) for defining such states. A common feature for the success of the Westphalian model has been the ability of states to maintain their territorial integrity within an organized system of governance that includes a stable civil society with functional social services and law enforcement mechanisms. Any state that deviates from these norms and cannot provide for the basic securities, run the risk of being labeled as a Failed State. This essay focuses on Somalis as an example of a Failed State and examines what measures can be taken to redress the situation.
Somalia, since colonial times has had a history of warlordism. Despite a shared Sunni Muslim ethnicity, the numerous clans who control various parts of the country have always been at odds with each other, and fighting has remained endemic. According to Cockburn, “the last time this desert country possessed anything approaching a “normal” government, with tax collection, social services, and law enforcement, was under a bloody dictator named Siad Barre” (Cockburn para1). Since then warlords control most of the country, and there has been a weak central government that has no control over most of the Somalian territory including the coastline. This has led to rampant exploitation of the sea resources by fishing trawlers of other countries, that provoked a response from vigilante groups of Somalis who wished to extract a ‘tax’ from such trawlers. Over time these vigilante groups became more greedy and ambitious and started targeting shipping to increase their spoils. Devoid of any development or socio-economic opportunities on their mainland, piracy seemed the only option that provided subsistence and hence was borne the scourge of Piracy that has seen hundreds of merchant ships being boarded and held to ransom off the coast of Somalia. The international community has responded by deploying scores of warships to patrol the waters off Somalia and institute a voluntary ‘convoy’ system for ships transiting through those dangerous waters.
These measures are however temporary. For Somalia or for that matter for any state to prevent failing, stable socio-economic development is the key, as is evident from the statement of one Somali pirate that “we only want money so we can protect ourselves from hunger (Gettleman para17).” A failed state or a developing state which is failing can restore itself to the comity of nations if it manages to first restore law and order in its lands and provide for the socio-economic needs of its people. Having strong law and order apparatus is a prerequisite for initiating the other steps. Undoubtedly, such measures cannot come by without significant outside help. If ideological differences, being a Muslim population preclude accepting American or Western help, the state could look at help from stable Arab states that can provide the much needed financial aid, trained manpower as well as religious facilitators who can help heal the fractious divide in the country. Help from international agencies could also be infused as these do not carry the stigma of ‘alignment’ to a specific camp or ideology. These are some of the ameliorative measures that can prevent a state from failing.
Works Cited
Cockburn, Richard. “Somalia a Failed State.” 2002. National Geographic. Web.
Gettleman, Jeffrey. “Somali Pirates Tell Their Side: They Want Only Money.” 2008. New York Times.