Chapter 3: The State in International Relations- Nationalism and State Power in Dystopian Futures

3.4: Failed States and State Building

Before there were international organizations, treaties, or global summits, there were states—the building blocks of international relations. They’re the engines of lawmaking, the arbiters of national identity, and the enforcers of borders. But while states may seem permanent or unshakable, they are, in fact, human-made institutions—constructed, maintained, and, sometimes, unraveled. This subsection explores how states come into existence, the role that war can play in shaping states, and how the concentration or collapse of state power can lead to instability, oppression, or outright failure. By examining both functional and failing states, we’ll better understand the forces that sustain political authority—and what happens when that authority breaks down.

When a state collapses and can no longer provide basic services, enforce laws, or ensure security, it is considered a failed state. Failed states leave citizens vulnerable to violence, instability, and human rights abuses, as government functions break down and rule of law evaporates. In The Hunger Games series, Panem’s districts experience conditions akin to those in a failed state, as the Capitol neglects essential needs and exploits resources, leaving most districts in poverty and unrest. District 12, for example, is characterized by extreme economic deprivation, where residents scavenge for food and work in dangerous coal mines with little support or oversight from the Capitol. Meanwhile, the Capitol hoards wealth and luxury, reinforcing the stark divide between itself and the districts. Real-world failed states, like Somalia in the early 1990s, face similar issues, where weak governance leads to an absence of security, fostering environments of fear and chaos. Just as the districts’ resentment toward the Capitol grows with every injustice, citizens in failed states often lose trust in leadership and become more susceptible to internal conflict, leading to uprisings or further disintegration. When states fail, stability can only be restored by rebuilding essential functions—like security, rule of law, and services—and reestablishing trust between the government and its people, a process that is often long and fraught with challenges.

In fragile states, particularly those with already existing internal conflict, there is a serious risk that external powers might seek influence the existing government by supporting opposing factions. Rather than engage directly, foreign countries may back different sides of a conflict, often for geopolitical gain, fueling the violence and instability within the failing state. In Mockingjay – Part 2, the districts’ rebellion against the Capitol is indirectly supported by District 13, which provides the rebels with resources, weapons, and leadership. Though District 13 claims its actions are in the interest of freeing Panem, its covert support reflects its own goals to replace the Capitol’s power with its own. This indirect involvement escalates the conflict and prolongs the suffering of the districts, highlighting the risks of external influence in fragile states. Real-world examples of proxy wars, such as those seen in Syria, demonstrate how external powers—like the United States and Russia—support opposing factions for strategic reasons, often leading to prolonged conflict and devastation. Proxy wars reveal how external interests can deepen a failing state’s struggles, complicating efforts to achieve a sustainable peace by introducing new layers of tension and competition. These conflicts emphasize the importance of addressing not only internal instability but also external interventions that can derail recovery.

How does a state avoid these worrisome outcomes? Much of a state’s strength and stability depend largely on its state capacity, or its ability to implement policies, enforce laws, and provide for citizens’ basic needs. High state capacity allows a government to maintain order, address crises, and effectively deliver services, while low state capacity often results in mismanagement and instability. In The Hunger Games, the Capitol demonstrates strong state capacity within its own borders, maintaining opulence, strict order, and an impressive level of technological advancement. However, this capacity does not extend to the districts, where basic needs like healthcare, infrastructure, and education are neglected. District 12’s lack of medical care—evidenced when Katniss and Peeta must rely on makeshift supplies to treat injuries—illustrates the Capitol’s indifference toward its outer territories. This selective governance weakens the districts, creating deep dissatisfaction and distrust that ultimately fuels rebellion. In real-world scenarios, countries with limited state capacity, such as Haiti, struggle to mobilize resources effectively, leading to persistent instability, weak public services, and reliance on foreign aid. Without strong state capacity, governments cannot earn the trust of their citizens or effectively address crises, increasing the risk of internal conflict and fragmentation.

A state’s long-term stability depends not only on its ability to wield power but also on its capacity to govern effectively and earn the trust of its population. When states emerge from conflict or authoritarian collapse, rebuilding strong, legitimate institutions becomes critical to preventing a return to violence or disorder. State building is the process of strengthening or creating political institutions to ensure durable governance, especially in post-conflict or fragile settings. It involves restoring key systems such as courts, security forces, and infrastructure in order to reestablish order and public confidence. But effective state building is about more than bricks and bureaucracy—it requires building civic trust, promoting inclusive governance, and ensuring that power is exercised fairly. Real-world examples like post-Taliban Afghanistan highlight the immense difficulty of constructing institutions that are not only functional but also perceived as legitimate by citizens. When new governments fail to move beyond the oppressive or exclusionary systems that preceded them, the result can be renewed instability. Ultimately, state building is a balancing act between rebuilding structures and reimagining relationships between the state and society—without that balance, even a rebuilt state can remain dangerously fragile.

Peacebuilding goes beyond establishing political institutions by addressing the root causes of conflict to prevent its recurrence. It focuses on rebuilding economic and social structures, promoting justice, and fostering reconciliation among former adversaries. In Mockingjay – Part 2, the leaders’ attempts to foster unity among the districts reflect elements of peacebuilding, as they work to create a society based on shared values of freedom and equality rather than fear and division. Katniss’s symbolic actions, such as refusing to execute President Snow publicly and instead targeting President Coin, highlight the importance of justice over vengeance in building a lasting peace. Real-world peacebuilding efforts, such as Rwanda’s post-genocide reconciliation programs, emphasize the importance of addressing both visible and underlying sources of conflict. By creating spaces for dialogue, justice, and economic recovery, Rwanda demonstrated how fractured societies can move toward reconciliation and stability. Peacebuilding helps fractured societies heal and move forward by promoting inclusive governance, economic equality, and a collective sense of purpose, reducing the risk of renewed conflict.

Together, the concepts of state building and peacebuilding highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to restoring stability in failed or fragile states. Rebuilding institutions, strengthening state capacity, and addressing the root causes of conflict are all essential to creating a secure and just society. The Hunger Games offers a compelling fictional lens to explore these concepts, as we see the districts’ journey from oppression to rebellion and, ultimately, to the difficult task of rebuilding. By understanding the importance of state capacity, the risks of proxy wars, and the methods of peacebuilding and state building, we can analyze both fictional and real-world cases where nations strive to recover from collapse and conflict. In doing so, we gain insight into the delicate balance required to restore order, trust, and stability in the wake of chaos.