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Train an Army, Buy a Warlord: Extending government authority in weak states.

Authors :
Lidow, Nicholai
Source :
Conference Papers -- American Political Science Association. 2011, p1-24. 24p.
Publication Year :
2011

Abstract

Extending government authority in weak states is a central foreign policy objective of the United States and other developed nations and has implications for international security and development. In weak states, governments face entrenched local elites with access to economic and military resources. This paper proposes a model of how govern- ments bargain with these elites, who are referred to as warlords. Three outcomes are possible: the warlord disarms and joins the government; the government and warlord divide up the spoils of a \con ict economy"; or the government and warlord fight for dominance over the state. The model implies that government corruption is a useful tool for negotiating disarmament and that international sanctions can spark fighting unless joined by promises of increased future assistance. Case studies of Medieval Europe, Post-Soviet Georgia, and Côte d'Ivoire illustrate the model's logic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Conference Papers -- American Political Science Association
Publication Type :
Conference
Accession number :
94859581