Poverty , Peace , and China : PKSOI and World Bank Perspectives
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Poverty , Peace , and China : PKSOI and World Bank Perspectives
Breaking out of “ dependency ” can last generations that could derail progress . The risk of inaction by donors may be greater than the risk of supporting FCACs to the extent that FCAC conflicts spill over , infecting neighboring countries .
Locking In Change ?
In FCACs , efforts are needed to restore confidence in collective action before embarking on wider institutional transformation . Much of the literature on peace-building up to now has emphasized multidimensional , complex , and gradualist approaches that move conflict-affected countries from high- to low-intensity violence . However , persuading different parties in FCACs to work collaboratively often requires signs of an abrupt rather than a gradual break from the past – for example , providing a swift demonstration that warlords or extremist parties can no longer exclude other groups from power-sharing , while ending human rights abuses , fostering free media , and appreciably dampening extractive practices by elites . Just as importantly , constitutional and legislative efforts must “ lock-in ” these changes and show that they will not be reversed . More study needs to be done on how civil-military operations can foster a meaningful “ break from the past ” and “ lock in ” such gains .
“ Lock-in ” strategies appear to be much more important that tactical , short-term improvements ( such as the restoration of essential services ) to bolster confidence in the FCAC government ’ s ability to deal with violent threats and implement institutional changes . Throughout this process , the FCAC government must take ownership for the “ break from the past ” and be widely perceived as staying the course . Paradoxically , the more external donors do in FCACs , the more dependence they may foster , eroding the legitimacy of the FCAC government and planting the seeds of stability ’ s decline once the donors downsize . 18
Successful institutional transformation requires not only a decided and credible “ break from the past ” but also sustained effort possibly over several decades to consolidate reform gains and foster self-reliance . Several countries that moved away from fragility and conflict accomplished the transition through many stages often involving intergenerational change . National leaders had to build confidence in the state and to transform institutions over time , as in the case of South Korea after the Korean War and transitions from military rule in Ghana , Chile and Argentina , where several internal contests unfolded over governance . More gradual economic and political reforms in Vietnam , Laos , and Cambodia now joined by Myanmar have led to more than a decade of peace , prosperity and stability in southeast Asia , but the jury is out on the region ’ s longer-term stability in the absence of a perceived “ break from the past ,” viz ., in their case , the widespread social acceptance of the justice apparatus of those countries .
Once a break from the past is accomplished , a self-supporting process of building success upon success enables social trust to widen . For each phase , national leaders need to build confidence that positive change is possible and deepen institutional transformation . A lack of trust and capacity in fragile societies thus requires sequential and paced institutional transformation coupled with public-private partnerships that increasingly bring the private sector forward to support the long-term sustainability of both jobs and security . At the same time , national leadership must increasingly ensure the impartiality and fairness of the machinery of justice . Failure to seize the high ground and take ownership for the transparency and impartiality of justice is likely to doom most societies to continuing instability in the event that the national leadership ’ s monopoly over the use of force is questioned , challenged , and ultimately ignored by its own people .
The Long Term Haul in FCACs
A group of FCACs and donor agencies recently called for change through their endorsement of “ The New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States .” 19 The New Deal challenges the development community to support peace- and state-building goals that are essential for achieving sustainable poverty reduction and growth and calls for a new approach to delivering assistance with a strong emphasis on country ownership , strengthening civil administration , and coordinating donor support around a country-led effort .
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