EDS378 Statebuilding and Conflict in Fragile and Conflict Affected States

Section I:

Introduction to Afghanistan history/culture and context, detailed exploration of governance since State formation, review of its evolving governance structures since the 1800s, the role of the formal and informal economy including war and narco-economic models, the role and impact of security actors since the 1980s, the fluid geo-political relationships of neighbouring countries, the emergence and role of the Taliban and other insurgent movements and the current status of Afghanistan viewed through multiple lenses of international development, security and local/regional actors.

Section II:

Definition of terms, introduction to Fragile and Conflict Affected State (FCAS) theory and principles, definition and exploration of key drivers of instability and conflict, definitions of governance, basic economic reform for FCASs.

Section III:

Introduction to the security and development nexus and key elements applicable to FCAS studies, introduction to rebel governance theory and relevant models, review of the changing role of international military presence in FCASs, the competition over humanitarian space, introduction of key characteristics of multiple models of peacebuilding and their utility in an FCAS context.

Knowledge

The candidate is able to explain/describe

• the core concepts of statebuilding and the signature characteristics of fragile and conflict affected states to a level at which students can knowledgeably engage with practitioners, researchers, advisors
• the complex drivers that create a fragile state and the role violence and conflict plays as part of a broader security and development axis within, and linking this to the more practical issues facing conflict/post-conflict and fragile states, with the involvement of external actors and western policies
• how realist and complexity theories in International Relations from which general lessons can be drawn and applied elsewhere within IR and Development streams.
• the role of the international community in Statebuilding and the impact of the international security presence on Afghanistan
• the importance of a contextual understanding in international interventions in Fragile and Conflict Affected States
• the theories and different models of rebel governance, their role in fostering challenges and undermining the political landscape.

Skills

The candidate is able to:

• engage meaningfully in the current situation in Afghanistan
• apply international Relations theories to the current issues faced by countries experiencing instability and conflict
• engage in academic discussions around Fragile and Conflict Affected States, their typology and key constituents

General competence

• The student has a general overview and understanding of how fragile and conflict-affected states can occur and their general impact on a broad range of global issues.