Skip to main content

State-building

State-building is the creation of
new government institutions and the
strengthening of existing ones. 

State-building is one of the most important issues for the world community because weak or failed states are the source of many of the world’s most serious problems, from poverty to drugs to terrorism. 

While the world leaders know a lot about state-building, there is a great deal theh don’t know, particularly about how to transfer strong institutions to developing countries. 

Theh know how to transfer resources across international borders, but well-functioning public institutions require certain habits of mind and operate in complex ways that resist being moved.

World leaders need to focus a great deal more thought, attention, and research on this area.

State is almost as old as live, after the state of nature. The state is an ancient human institution dating backsome 10,000 years to the first agricultural societies that sprangup in Mesopotamia. 

In China a state with a highly trained bureaucracy has existed for thousands of years. In Europe the modern state, deploying large armies, taxation powers, and a centralized bureaucracy that could exercise sovereign authority over a large territory, is much more recent, dating back fouror five hundred years to the consolidation of the French, Spanish, and Swedish monarchies. 

The rise of these states, withtheir ability to provide order, security, law, and property rights,was what made possible the rise of the modern economicworld.

States have a wide variety of functions,
for good and ill. The same coercive
power that allows them to protect
property rights and provide public safety
also allows them to confiscate private
property and abuse the rights of their cit-
izens. 

The monopoly of legitimate power
that states exercise allows individuals to
escape what Hobbes labeled the “war
of every man against every man” domestically but serves as the basis for
conflict and war at an international
level. The Russia-Ukraine war is case in point.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sweet Spot

How do you create a digital strategy that involves customers in an energized social community?  How do you create an engaged, active “go-to” website?   Prophet's David Aaaker says, You must change the orientation of marketing from selling the offering, the brand, and firm to becoming an active partner with a shared interest program around a customer’s “sweet spot.” A sweet spot reflects customers’ “thinking and doing” time, beliefs and values, activities and passions, possessions or places they treasure. Ideally, it would be a part of, if not central to, their self-identity and lifestyle and reflect a higher-order value proposition, much beyond the benefits provided by the offering. To illustrate, Pampers went beyond diapers by creating the Pampers Village community that provides a “go to” place for all issues relating to babies and child care. Its five sections – pregnancy, newborn, baby, toddler, and preschooler – all have a menu of topics. Its online ...
Post a Comment
Read more

What is Biri marung?

Biri marung" is a term in Chewa/Nyanja, a language spoken in Zambia, Malawi, and parts of Mozambique. It directly translates to "hyena in the sky" or "flying hyena.  It is often used in folklore and traditional beliefs in African cultures to refer to supernatural beings or mysterious occurrences, particularly those associated with witchcraft or spirits. In music, "Biri Marung" is a popular Amapiano track released in November 2024 by South African artists Mr Pilato, Ego Slimflow, and Tebogo G Mashego, featuring Sje Konka, Focalistic, DJ Maphorisa, Scotts Maphuma, and CowBoii.  The song has gained significant attention, with its official audio available on YouTube.  Additionally, it has been featured on various music platforms, including Apple Music.  The track has also inspired dance challenges and covers on social media platforms like TikTok, contributing to its viral status.  "Biri Marung" has been recognized for its impact in the music industry...
Post a Comment
Read more

New ways to business capital

A Business capital, often referred to as capital in a business context, is the financial resources or assets that a company or a sole proprietorship uses to operate, invest, and grow. Traditionally, it can come from various sources, including: 1. Equity Capital: This is the money invested by the business owners or shareholders. It represents ownership in the company and can be in the form of common stock or retained earnings. 2. Debt Capital: Debt capital is borrowed money that the business must repay with interest. This can include loans from banks, bonds issued by the company, or other forms of debt financing. 3. Working Capital: Working capital is the money a business uses for its day-to-day operations, such as paying bills, salaries, and purchasing inventory. 4. Fixed Capital: Fixed capital refers to the funds invested in long-term assets like buildings, machinery, and equipment. 5. Venture Capital or Angel Investment: Startups and high-growth companies may secure capital from vent...
Post a Comment
Read more