Warlord Politics and African States by Reno (1998) presents "The Distinctive Political Logic of Weak States." In this chapter the authors discuss how warlord politicians with their commercial allies are not trying to replace weak states. They are trying to collaborate by manipulating and controlling the markets in such a way to enhance their power, but this offers new opportunities of the weak states. References support views and conclusions presented.
With regard to Africa, it is noted that much of the literature views political change, reversing cause and effect. It is believed that bad policies have led to a failure in effective ruling since independence. Thus an attempt to withdraw from predatory and ineffective rulers has led to a decline in state institutions. On the other hand it is stated that when political authority collapsed and African governments were faced with sudden urbanization and overpopulation, the governments were overwhelmed. Regardless of explanations for current status, Africa as a weak state is explored.
The capacity of a weak state to manipulate external actors is discussed along with the commercial advantages of the weak state. The authors present their theory of how the weak state, such as Africa, is assisted by the current global economy which provides rulers with the tools to act in their won interest and respond to their political struggle.
"State Making, State Breaking, and State Failure" found in Turbulent Peace: The Challenges of Managing International Conflict, by Ayoob (2001) presents two current and significant realities as they relate to a discussion of the failure and disintegration of states and the problem of international governance to regain and maintain order. The first reality is the fact that most conflicts since the end of the World War II have been in the Third World. The second fact is that the Third World states are either intrastate in character or have a lar
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