Collapsed State vs. Failed States

Attribute	Collapsed State	Failed States
Definition	A state that has experienced a sudden and significant decline in its political, economic, or social institutions.	States that have lost control over their territory, government, and population, leading to a breakdown of authority and governance.
Causes	Internal conflicts, economic crises, natural disasters, or external interventions.	Corruption, weak institutions, ethnic or religious tensions, or external interference.
Impact	Disruption of governance, social services, and economic stability.	Humanitarian crises, violence, and instability.
International Response	May receive aid, peacekeeping missions, or diplomatic interventions.	May face sanctions, military interventions, or international isolation.

Definition

Collapsed states and failed states are terms used to describe countries that are unable to provide basic services to their citizens or maintain control over their territory. A collapsed state is one where the government has lost control over significant portions of its territory, leading to a breakdown in law and order. On the other hand, a failed state is one where the government is unable to provide basic services such as security, healthcare, and education to its citizens.

Attributes of Collapsed States

In a collapsed state, the government has lost control over its territory, leading to the rise of non-state actors such as rebel groups, militias, and criminal organizations. These groups often fill the power vacuum left by the government and impose their own rules and regulations on the population. The lack of a functioning government also leads to a breakdown in law and order, with widespread violence and insecurity becoming the norm. Basic services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure are often non-existent in collapsed states, leading to a humanitarian crisis.

• Lack of government control over territory
• Rise of non-state actors
• Breakdown in law and order
• Widespread violence and insecurity
• Lack of basic services

Attributes of Failed States

In a failed state, the government is unable to provide basic services to its citizens, leading to widespread poverty, disease, and lack of education. The lack of security and rule of law in failed states often leads to the rise of corruption and organized crime, further exacerbating the problems faced by the population. Failed states are often characterized by weak institutions, lack of infrastructure, and high levels of unemployment. The government in a failed state may still have control over its territory, but it is unable to effectively govern and provide for its citizens.

• Inability to provide basic services
• Widespread poverty and disease
• Rise of corruption and organized crime
• Weak institutions
• High levels of unemployment

Comparison

While both collapsed states and failed states face similar challenges such as lack of basic services and insecurity, there are key differences between the two. Collapsed states are characterized by a lack of government control over territory, leading to the rise of non-state actors and widespread violence. Failed states, on the other hand, may still have control over their territory but are unable to provide basic services to their citizens due to weak institutions and high levels of corruption.

Another key difference between collapsed states and failed states is the level of humanitarian crisis faced by the population. In collapsed states, the lack of basic services such as healthcare and education often leads to a severe humanitarian crisis, with high levels of poverty and disease. In failed states, while the lack of basic services is still a major issue, the level of humanitarian crisis may not be as severe as in collapsed states.

Overall, both collapsed states and failed states represent significant challenges to global stability and security. Addressing the root causes of state collapse and failure, such as weak institutions, corruption, and lack of infrastructure, is crucial in preventing the further spread of instability and conflict in these countries.