The analysis of state failure and state collapse has gained widespread academic interest over the last years and combines various academic disciplines related to the reasons of non-functioning states and the variables which lead to state failure. This essay will try to contribute to the actual debate by examining to what extent patterns of political behavior can be used to explain state failure within developing states and, more particular, state collapse in Somalia. Therefore, this essay will first discuss theoretical approaches trying to explain state failure and the differences between state failure and state collapse. I will argue that the complexity of state failure and state collapse leads to an ongoing debate about the nature and perception of these states which is often misleading. Whereas the dominant factors which cause state failure are often found in bad governance and bad leadership, other factors such as the role of external patterns of political behavior during colonial times as well as during the cold war fostered weak state structures and enabled African rulers to develop a different understanding of the state as a tool for personal ends that lead to a logic of self-destructive despotism prior to state collapse.
In a second step the article examines the case of Somalia in further detail, trying to analyze causes of state collapse and the impact of political behavior that led to state failure within the Somali context. I will argue that on the one hand patterns of political behavior by foreign actors are one main cause of Somali state collapse. On the other hand, the rule of Siyaad Barre and his patterns of political behavior followed a logic of self-destructive despotism which contributed largely to the fact that Somalia collapsed in 1991, when Barre was ousted.
Finally, I will draw a conclusion based on the presented analysis to what extent patterns of political behavior within development states can explain state failure.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Theorizing state failure and state collapse
3. Patterns of political behavior in Somalia
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Research Themes
This essay explores the extent to which patterns of political behavior, both domestic and international, can explain state failure, with a specific focus on the total collapse of the Somali state. The research investigates how authoritarian governance and the logic of self-destructive despotism, often exacerbated by foreign influence, contribute to the erosion of state institutions and the eventual disintegration of state control.
- Theoretical frameworks of state failure and collapse
- The impact of foreign aid and external political interference
- The role of ruling elites and the logic of self-destructive despotism
- The case study of Somalia and the historical context of its collapse
- The relationship between state institutions and clan-based power dynamics
Excerpt from the Book
Patterns of political behavior in Somalia
Somalia is a country slightly smaller than Texas at the Horn of Africa with a population of 10 million people. Its neighboring countries are Ethiopia, Kenya and the Emirate of Djibouti. (The CIA World Factbook 2010) The pre-colonial Somalia was a decentralized segmentary society based on a pastoral economy. There were no centralized state institutions or bureaucratic structures and no class hierarchy. (Jones 2008: 187 – 188)
In the 19th century, the area was split up between four colonial powers, namely Britain, France, Ethiopia and Italy. These colonial powers installed the first rudimentary administrative institutions to exert control over the territory but no western style state institutions. One of the key events of this period has been the donation of an area called the Ogaden, mainly inhibited by Somalis, to Ethiopia. This area later became and still is a main source for ongoing conflict between the two countries. (ibid: 189) For analytical reasons, this section will focus on the events after Somalia became independent in 1960. At the time of Independence, Somali people had a strong sense of national unity, a common language and a common culture, based on pastoral customs, traditions and Islam. The Somali society was still very complex and largely based on clan membership, although there was the possibility to change clans under certain circumstances. When becoming independent, the colonial powers ignored the demand of the Somali people to establish a greater Somalia, including the disputed region of the Ogaden and other areas referred to as the lost lands, where about a third of all Somalis were living. Instead, Somalia was created by merging British Somaliland with Italian Somaliland, ignoring the other areas inhibited by Somalis. Thus, the ambition of reunification became the main ambition of the newly emerging Somali state, which is also reflected in his flag and his constitution. In the short time of democracy after independence from 1961 to 1969, the Somali system proved to be very unstable because of temporary coalitions between the five main clans of the country, namely the Darod, the Hawiye, the Isaaq, the Dir and the Digil-Mirifleh. Small parties were based on clan-membership and after the election the losing participants usually joined the winning party to participate in power.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the academic interest in state failure and presents the core research question regarding how political behavior influences state collapse, specifically referencing the Somali context.
2. Theorizing state failure and state collapse: This section defines the concepts of failed and collapsed states, discusses various patterns of failure, and critiques the discourse surrounding external versus internal causes of state breakdown.
3. Patterns of political behavior in Somalia: This chapter provides a detailed historical and political analysis of Somalia, examining how colonial history, clan dynamics, and the rule of Siyaad Barre led to the state's eventual collapse.
4. Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the arguments, reiterating that internal and external political behaviors are root causes of Somali state collapse and highlighting the need for further research.
Keywords
State failure, state collapse, Somalia, political behavior, self-destructive despotism, Siyaad Barre, authoritarian rule, clan membership, foreign aid, failed state discourse, governance, international intervention, public resources, civil service, democratization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The paper examines the extent to which patterns of political behavior explain state failure, utilizing the historical collapse of Somalia as a primary case study.
What are the central themes discussed in the research?
The core themes include the definition of failed states, the role of external geopolitical influence, the impact of authoritarian governance, and the internal struggle for power based on clan loyalties.
What is the central research question?
The research asks to what extent patterns of political behavior within developing states can be used to explain the phenomenon of state failure and state collapse.
Which scientific approach is utilized?
The study employs a qualitative, analytical approach, reviewing existing theoretical literature on state failure and applying it to the historical development of the Somali state.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the theoretical distinction between state failure and collapse, the critique of western-centric state models, and a historical review of Somalia's path from independence to total collapse under Siyaad Barre.
What are the defining keywords of the work?
Key terms include state collapse, self-destructive despotism, Somalia, authoritarian rule, political behavior, clan dynamics, and governance.
How does the concept of "self-destructive despotism" relate to the Somali case?
It describes how Siyaad Barre intentionally weakened state institutions and the civil service to protect his power, which ultimately accelerated the state's total collapse.
What role did foreign actors play in the collapse of Somalia?
Foreign support from both the Cold War superpowers (the US and USSR) militarized the region, which provided the means for the regime to maintain its brutal rule longer than it might have otherwise.
Why did the Barre regime target the civil service?
Barre perceived the bureaucracy as a threat to his power; by allowing it to fail, he removed potential sites of resistance and consolidated his own despotic control.
- Quote paper
- Florian Meyer (Author), 2010, To what extent can state failure be explained by patterns of political behavior within developing states?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/152220
