Theoretical Delimitation and Conceptualisation of the Phenomenon of Failed and Collapsed States

Abstract

The terms "weak", "failed", and "collapsed", among others, were used to
describe the specific condition of a state for the first time rather recently.
The research of a state's strength or weakness reacted to the processes of
decolonisation and the collapse of the bipolar configuration of international
relations. The theoretical and methodological settlement of this
phenomenon in the context of political science is still a great challenge for
academic society. This article aims to conceptualize the problematics of
weakening and collapse of state power. The authors don't try to challenge
the current conceptions of Rotberg, Zartman, etc., but to categorise these
theoretical approaches into three dimensions in the context of the
parametres the authors of these conceptions work with. The three
dimensions that are introduced are the one of international relations, the
economic one and the socio-political one. The article concludes with the
presentation of the Fund for Peace tool, which tries to include all these
dimensions.