Somalia is a country in the East of Africa, situated at the horn of Africa with a population of ca. 9.3 million (BTI 2012). In this part of the world, life is hard (e.g. infant mortality rate: 10%) and short (life expectancy at birth: 51 years). “Freedom in the World 2012” by Freedom House gives Somalia the worst possible rating both for political rights and civil liberties. It ranks at place 223 of 227 in terms of GDP per capita (CIA Factbook, 2012). The Global Peace Index lists Somalia as the most dangerous country in the world while the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG), which is supported by the United Nations, the African Union and the United States, merely controls parts of the capital Mogadishu (Bruton, 2009). Around 40% of Somali territory is occupied by a radical muslim militia called Al-Shabab. The famine that befell the horn of Africa in 2011 struck Somalia worst, a country, which is mostly referred to as a ‘failed state’ for 20 years now. The situation in Somalia, so much is clear, is very serious and appalling in a variety of fields. But why is that?
In this paper I will describe Somalia’s recent development in the framework introduced by Szirmai (2005: pp. 29-33), using his 9 characteristics of developing countries for classification, and - building up on that - inquire into possible explanations for its deficiencies and its failure as a state.
Table of Contents
1. Widespread poverty and malnutrition
2. A relatively large share of agriculture in output and employment
3. Pronounced dualism in economic structure
4. Very rapid growth of population
5. Explosive urbanization
6. Large-scale underutilization of labor
7. Political instability, pervasive corruption
8. Environmental degradation
9. Low levels of technological capabilities
Explanation
Conclusion
Objectives and Research Themes
This paper examines the recent socio-economic development of Somalia by applying the framework of nine characteristics of developing countries as introduced by Szirmai. The primary objective is to categorize Somalia's current state and identify the underlying causes for its systemic failures and status as a 'failed state'.
- Analysis of socio-economic indicators including poverty, malnutrition, and economic dualism.
- Evaluation of the impact of institutional decay and extractive governance.
- Assessment of the role of historical colonial legacies in current fragmentation.
- Critique of international interventions and their consequences on the Somali state.
- Examination of technological and labor market deficits.
Excerpt from the Book
1. WIDESPREAD POVERTY AND MALNUTRITION
The Socio-Economic Survey on Somalia in 2002 (SES), conducted by the UNDP, finds that the estimated average annual income per capita (PPP) amounts to no more than 210$. The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), which was newly developed in 2010 by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a more encompassing measure than the traditional head count or the poverty gap and in a way contains both, hence the name ‘multidimensional’: “The MPI reflects both the incidence of headcount ratio of poverty (…) and the average intensity of their poverty”. Somalia ranks 99 out of 104 assessed countries on the overall MPI with 81% that are regarded MPI-poor and an average intensity of deprivation of 69%. In Somalia poverty translates directly to malnutrition, considering that in 2006 every third child under the age of 5 was underweight (CIA Factbook, 2012). It is important to keep in mind here that this rate may have even drastically increased over the last few years in consequence of recurrent droughts and the civil war between several militias that in combination entailed one of the, if not the, most devastating famines so far in the still young century. From may till august 2011 alone 29.000 children under the age of 5 were estimated to have died due to acute malnourishment, more than 600.000 children at that point in time were acutely endangered by the food shortage (NBC, 2011). It is thus safe to assume that the nutritional situation has rather deteriorated than improved since 2006.
Summary of Chapters
1. Widespread poverty and malnutrition: Details the extreme economic deprivation and the acute nutritional crisis facing Somalia, utilizing the Multidimensional Poverty Index.
2. A relatively large share of agriculture in output and employment: Discusses the dominance of the primary sector and the negative impacts of the 'agricultural productivity gap' on economic competitiveness.
3. Pronounced dualism in economic structure: Analyzes the dichotomy between urban and rural areas and the unique lack of a clearly defined economic elite compared to other developing nations.
4. Very rapid growth of population: Examines how high population growth rates contribute to resource depletion and strain on the health and education sectors.
5. Explosive urbanization: Addresses the rapid migration to cities and the associated risks of creating uncontrollable megacities without sufficient infrastructure.
6. Large-scale underutilization of labor: Explains how the misalignment of labor in the primary sector hinders overall economic productivity and individual livelihoods.
7. Political instability, pervasive corruption: Investigates the complete lack of functional government and the cycle of conflict that prevents peace and stability.
8. Environmental degradation: Highlights how short-term profit seeking and a lack of regulation lead to deforestation and soil erosion.
9. Low levels of technological capabilities: Assesses the critical shortage of patents, infrastructure, and human capital required for technological development.
Explanation: Synthesizes the institutional and historical factors, including colonial legacy and failed interventions, that perpetuate Somalia’s state failure.
Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, characterizing the situation as a result of a toxic interaction between history, misguided policies, and civil conflict.
Keywords
Somalia, Development, Failed State, Poverty, Malnutrition, Agriculture, Dualism, Urbanization, Corruption, Political Instability, Colonial Legacy, Al-Shabab, Institutions, Labor, Famine
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on analyzing the recent development and state failure of Somalia using the socioeconomic framework provided by Szirmai.
What are the core thematic fields covered in the work?
The work covers economic structure, demographic changes, political instability, environmental challenges, and the lack of technological capabilities.
What is the central research question?
The research seeks to explain why Somalia has remained a 'failed state' for over two decades by examining its socio-economic characteristics and historical context.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author applies Szirmai’s nine characteristics of developing countries to classify Somalia and evaluates institutional theories to explain its systemic failure.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body addresses poverty, the agricultural sector, population growth, urbanization, corruption, environmental degradation, and technological limitations.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Somalia, failed state, institutional decay, economic dualism, and colonial legacy.
How does the paper assess the role of the U.S. in Somalia?
The paper critically examines U.S. foreign policy, noting that some actions may have inadvertently exacerbated the 2011 famine by withholding aid from militant-controlled territories.
What does the author conclude about the impact of the Barre-era?
The author identifies the Barre-era as having established extractive institutions that suppressed freedom and set the precedent for the current institutional vacuum.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Jan-David Franke (Autor:in), 2012, Somalia - Development and Failure, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/264808
