Fragile contexts

Fragile states are commonly defined as "states where the government cannot or will not deliver core functions to the majority of its people, including the poor". (DFID, 2010)

The state has three functions:

• To maintain the monopoly of coercion (legitimate authority to ensure public order)

• To cater for the welfare of its citizens and create an enabling environment for wealth creation

• To have legitimacy in the eyes of its people.

Types of fragile state

All fragile states lack effective political processes by which to influence the state to meet society's expectations.

Fragile states can be classified into the following three types.

Post-conflict states

These states have ceased hostilities but remain vulnerable and could relapse into violent conflict. They often have a fragile form of political settlement. An example is Sierra Leone.

Conflict states

These states are very unstable and ridden with conflict. State institutions are extremely weak and in some cases have collapsed. Examples are Sudan and Somalia.

Weak states

These states are relatively stable but prone to violent conflict and/or humanitarian emergencies in some regions. Examples are northern Kenya and northern Uganda.

Research on social protection in fragile states

In 2011 HelpAge International carried out research into social protection in fragile contexts, specifically in Sierra Leone, western Sudan and northern Kenya.

Strengthening state-citizen relations in fragile contexts

The findings of this research has been published as part of our Pension Watch series, both as a longer report as well as a Pension Watch Briefing.

Research found that social protection programmes in the form of cash transfers, if well designed, could play a significant role in strengthening state-citizen relations. The nature of programme design and ownership is critical to shaping this relationship, which is of crucial importance in fragile contexts.

Watch Wale talk about the social and transformative impacts of cash tranfers and social protection