A Capable State in Afghanistan: a Building Without a Foundation?

Frauke de Weijer

No wp-2013-063, WIDER Working Paper Series from World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER)

Abstract: This paper argues that attempts at state-building in Afghanistan have led to institutions that are not robust. The state institutions and organizations continue to be highly dependent on external resources and technical expertise, and lack of critical mass of people able and willing to maintain them when external support recedes. I contend that Afghanistan may have fallen into a 'capability trap' that can lead to an actual decrease in state capacity in spite of an appearance of progress.

Keywords: Democratization; Economic assistance and foreign aid; Public goods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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