'Index of State Weakness in the Developing World', The Brookings Institution, 26 February 2008
The Brookings Institution and the Center for Global Development ranked 141 developing countries according to their performance in four core areas -- economic, political, security and social welfare. Using those indicators Afghanistan, which ranks second after Somalia, was designated as a "failed state."
A weak state is defined as one lacking the capacity to establish and maintain political institutions, secure the population from violent conflict and control their territories or to meet the basic needs of the population. Following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks against the United States, studies indicated weak states threatened world security and the Bush administration said dealing with those fragile nations was a national priority.
To continue reading the report, click here [pdf].
