Assignment Social Sciences Essay Research Coursework

State Building
Name
Institutional Affiliation
State Building
Question 1
Wimmer (2018) offers an avid analysis on state building and its facets. He asserts that there are two main aspects of state building, which are the political-integration and political-identity aspects. The former refers to the ability of extending “political alliances across the terrain of a country” while the latter connotes to “the emergence of a sense of loyalty to and identification with the institutions of the state, independent of who currently governs (p. 152).” In essence, these two guidelines offer the founding elements for any robust and stable country because first, every ethnic divide is recognized. In doing this, the state creates a bridge instead of an ever-widening gap of maintaining close contacts with its citizens. When the government forms various avenues such as political organizations where its nationals are the members, citizens feel as though they are at the center of power regardless of whether their political party is the occupant of the seats of government. It is this scenario that guarantees the country’s intellectuals, political elites and ordinary citizens will define that national community that is bound to be inclusive. Every person receives equal treatment regardless of their ethnic or racial background.
From an overall perspective, national building can be deemed to be an activity with massive positive consequences. In this regard, national building creates a platform in which people establish a substantial policy that is progressive to the economy. This procedure is possible because crosscutting alliances alleviates zero-sum game where one ethnic group, the one in the government, is the winner the others are losers as they struggle for control. Besides, people elicit the true sense of patriotism as inclusivity fosters an elevated sense of ownership of the state. Consequently, this feeling transcends narcissism that is predicated on one’s profession, clan, village, or family. It is the resulting loyalty to the nation that makes inclusionary countries a pleasing place to be for its nationals. According to Wimmer (2018, p. 153), this shared identity eclipses “even the best crafted of propaganda mechanism.” On the other hand, the nation has much to gain too. Such people are open to paying their taxes and even better, they are less resistant to supporting a welfare state. Even better, these people are recipients of effective and efficient manner of governing from their states. In situations where the country has minorities and majorities, inclusive coalitions guarantee that they are less likely to engage in civil war and in retrospect, they promote economic growth.
State building missions that have been conducted in post-Cold War period have been relatively successful. This assertion is apparent in that “16 have produced greater peace, 18 saw increases in democratization, 17 saw improvement in government effectiveness, 18 experienced economic growth… and 18 saw improvements in their human development... (Dobbins & Miller, 2013).” The examples of countries that could fall in any one of these categories include Namibia, Mozambique, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Sudan in Africa. In the Middle East, which is scampering by frequent war, there is Afghanistan and Iraq. In Eastern Europe, there are Albania, Bosnia, and Slavonia. Others include Haiti, Kosovo, and East Timor. The present situation of these countries, including Somalia, which was uninhabitable land because of pirates and terrorism is commendable.
Further, the authors continue to assert that there are specific factors that facilitate successful state building. These factors are derived from the causes of the respective country’s decline. There is the case for issuing land to the people. At the very least, people have somewhere they can call home and conduct subsistence farming that ensures they have something to eat. Another element is the appreciation for ethnic or racial differences that exist in society. Failure to appreciate these discrepancies tears nationalism apart and gives rise to xenophobia. Unfortunately, this happened in Cambodia. It is equally important people disregard their regional and political identities because the more people cling to them, the quicker they will be aroused when someone attacks or goes against its principles. Institutions need to remain firm in fulfilling their mandate. For instance, the judiciary should provide a fair ruling, regardless of the power stakes in play. Failure to do this, the weaker party might feel undone thus, orchestrating the genesis of resistance. The Democratic Republic of Congo failed to uphold this virtuous procedure and the country plunged into deeper chaos with the intensity decreasing today, but still apparent. On the other hand, there should be an equitable distribution of resources. In this regard, none of the country’s citizens feel as though they are inferior or undermined relative to what is available in the country.
In my opinion stat...