Transitions: Issues, Challenges and Solutions in International Assistance
Abstract
States and humanitarian organizations intervene in fragile, failing, and failed states at critical points to serve their own interests and to assist the populations of the troubled states. At the point when these host states have become appropriately self-sufficient, or when the interveners deem it appropriate to leave, the host nation must reassume responsibility for its own destiny. In simple terms transition is the multi-disciplinary process by which intervening and sponsoring states and organizations through enabling and empowerment return the power, authorities, and services to functional host nation government and civil society institutions. However, transition is never simple. It is always a complex strategic undertaking that involves and affects all sectors of a modern state. Because of these multi-order effects, all transitions invariably pose issues involving sovereignty, legitimacy, dependency, and social reform. In the latter case, transition is particularly difficult because intervention in these states usually initiates a transformation of the indigenous society to better fit the shared global narrative of the 21st Century world order. As these changes occur, politicians, citizens, spoilers, and opportunists of every stripe seek advantages in the circumstances and to influence the outcomes. In this text, papers prepared for the Transitions: Issues, Challenges and Solutions Conference, conducted at Carlisle Barracks in November 2010, examine transitions from theoretical and practical perspectives. In sharing their research and experience, the authors collectively cultivate in the reader a necessary strategic perspective; one that is holistic and systemic in outlook. However, each essay focuses on some specific aspect of transitions and develops it in some detail. Readers will find each essay and its argument stands on its own merit, offering an independent assessment and making a valuable and enduring contribution to the body of knowledge on transition
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA548963
Entities
People
- Harry R. Yarger
Organizations
- United States Army War College