International Norms and Standards Applicable to Situations of State Fragility and Failure

Abstract

State fragility and failure are best defined legally as the incapacity of a state to perform its obligations toward its citizens and toward the international community in general. Fragile, failing, and failed states are characterized by an implosion of state structures, which results in the incapability of governmental authorities to perform their functions, including providing security, respecting the rule of law, exercising control, supplying education and health services, establishing commercial and banking systems, and maintaining economic and structural infrastructures.