What Does a State Needs

1. What Does a State Needs?
By: Captain Kenrick Lincoln Martinez Sr.
Several problems are emerging in the world that leave numerous unanswered questions.
Case in point, the rise of Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), Vladimir Putin’s belligerent
movement against Crimea, and the uncontrollable crime rate specifically in Central America.
These incidents can jeopardize the status of these states to be viewed as a weak or failed state. A
state is define as a power of authority by a body of people with its own borders and laws.1 A
leader or policy makers for a state could prevent failure by being proactive rather than reactive.
Therefore, this paper will attempt to answer questions such as, what “things” do states need in
order to function? Why? Which institutions are most important? Which should be developed
first? Why? What are the contributing factors that cause state failure?
A state needs checklists that can they aid in the development of the country and
transparency in its system. These lists that would be mentioned are just a few as they are
numerous. In this paper the utmost important point will be discussion and the order of their
ranking. A state needs firm laws and regulations, proper governance by the government,
accountability and transparency, and a charismatic leader with positive visions. These lists are
just an abbreviated version which may then aid a state providing efficient service for its people.
Ghani et al, mentioned that the goal of a state is accountability for delivering human security and
prosperity to its citizens and fulfilling its obligation as a legitimate member of the international
1 Webster’s Third New International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged. Springfield,MA: Merriam-
Webster, 1993.Also availableat http://www.merriam-webster.com/.

2. community.2 The above mentioned needs might aid state function and they are place in order of
most important to least priority.
Having firm laws and regulation aids a country to protect its people, for it provides a civil
society conducive to live in, and it enables a country to function properly. Take for example
Switzerland, a country with firm laws, yet has the lowest crime rate in the world. In Switzerland,
majority of its citizens abide by the law as simple as clothes may not be hung to dry on Sunday.3
This alone, tells lot about the people of that country. What additionally benefits the Swiss is the
culture of responsibility and safety despite having numerous gun owners.4 On the contrary, one
might say that this is not always the case for there are countries that have stringent laws, but its
people are not safe. Belize, a country in the same region as Honduras, is known also as the
murder capital of the world with about 19 persons murdered a day in 2013. Both Honduras and
Belize have a maximum sentence of life in prison for homicide if a person is found guilty for
murder, but this still does not deter gang members from committing crime in both countries.5
Having well regulated laws could be the number one issue to address for a state. Using
Switzerland as example solidifies my point that law and regulation should first be establish in a
state that will ensure safety and security in that country prior to demanding proper governance.
A state needs proper governance from the government, meaning a group of people who
can lead that particular country in the right direction. For clarification, when referring to the term
governance, a democratic system of governance is of interest here since it is the majority on the
2 Ghani,Ashraf, ClareLockhart, and Michael Carnahan. Closing the sovereignty gap: an approach to state-building.
London: Overseas Development Institute, 2005.
3 Martin,Putter, The Little Difference: Rules,Rules, Nothing but rules,06 Febuary, 2015, The Basel Journal,
http://baseljournal.ch/uncategorized/the-little-differences-9-rules-rules-nothing-but-rules/
4 Helena, Buchmann, The Swiss Difference: A Gun Culture That Works,20 December, 2012,
http://world.time.com/2012/12/20/the-swiss-difference-a-gun-culture-that-works/
5Rodan, Maya, Honduras is Still TheMurder Capital of the World, TIME, 14 February, 2014
http://world.time.com/2014/02/17/honduras-is-still-the-murder-capital-of-the-world/

3. globe rather than autocracy. Having proper governance might eventually diminish the corruption
from occurring in the government. However, one should be mindful that humans are not perfect,
some people are rapacious, and members of government are not exempted of that fact. Countries
that are recognized for good governance and less corruption are New Zealand, Denmark, Finland
and Sweden. These countries show freedom of press, government openness, civic activism, and
social trust to monitor members of government. These countries also hold their members of
government accountable for their action.6 Arguably, good governance will prevents a state from
failing. For instance, they are countries that are placed in the category as failed state for over a
decade. These countries are Afghanistan, Angola, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC), Liberia, Sierra Leone and the Sudan.7 Ostensibly, those states fail because having poor
governance could have been a contributing factor. This is why governance is place second in the
pyramid. After good governance, one can expect proper accountability and transparency.
The third point that is paramount in reference to needs of a state is accountability and
transparency. Having proper accountability and transparency could eliminate nepotism,
corruption, and could provide checks and balances of the public funds. Providing a clear budget
is a means to ensure proper spending of public fund. But, that alone is not all that should be
done, for details of spending should also be presented to the public. In addition, an independent
auditor could be called in so that he/she can verify that the funds were spent accordingly. Ghandi
6 Marie, Chene, What makes new Zealand,Denmark, Finland,Sweden and other “Cleaner” then most Countries?,7
December, 2011, http://blog.transparency.org/2011/12/07/what-makes-new-zealand-denmark-finland-
sweden-and-others-%E2%80%9Ccleaner%E2%80%9D-than-most-countries/
7 Robert, Rotberg, When State Fail,Princeton University Press,2003

4. et al stated that sound management of public finance in their view is one of the most critical
indicator of the autonomy of a state.8 The most salient point they claim is,
what denotes the effectiveness of the state in wealth creation and distribution of resources
on the expenditure side is the extent to which the government budget serves as the
instrument for setting the country’s priorities, the balance between ensuring growth and
service delivery, the extent to which the budget is subject to formal oversight by the
legislature and judiciary and the extent to which the budget is substantively transparent to
the citizens of the state.9
The quote above demonstrated one of the reasons why Haiti failed to develop its economy under
the leadership of Jean Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier. He was alleged to have embezzled
between$300 million and $800 million of the country’s assets during his presidency because of
poor accountability and transparency. 10 Haitians and their economy are still suffering from that
horrible and unfortunate government corruption all because of lacking transparency and
accountability in their government. Hence, this point is the third priority, but should not be taken
for granted. The type of leadership can be the final point that falls under needs of a state
category.
A charismatic leader can lead a democratic state and uplift that country to become
recognized worldwide. There are countless charismatic leaders in the past and present, for good
or bad reasons. However, a charismatic leader who uplifts his country is Nelson Mandela. One
may argues that he was a revolutionist, but he was adored by a significant amount of South
8
Ghani, Ashraf,ClareLockhart, and Michael Carnahan. Closing the sovereignty gap: an approach to state-
building. London: Overseas Development Institute, 2005.
9 Ghani,Ashraf, ClareLockhart, and Michael Carnahan. Closing the sovereignty gap: an approach to state-
building. London: Overseas Development Institute, 2005.
10 Joseph, Delva,Haiti’s Jean Claude Duvalier Trial:’Baby Doc’ Faces Corruption Charges, The World Post,
13 January,2012,http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/30/haiti -jean-claude-duvalier-
trial_n_1241514.html

5. Africans. In or around 1962, racial segregation in South Africa was highly recognize and it is
also known as “apartheid”. Mandela heads an organization and advocated for equality; he was
jailed for 27 years, and after his release he was the president of South Africa from 1994-1999
whereby the apartheid system was abolished. This shows that charismatic leader could change
the status of its state. On the other hand, what a charismatic leader cannot do is guarantee that the
people of the state will act in a civil manner. But, this style of leadership could bring about
positive change similar to South Africa’s. Interestedly, Robert Perito highlighted that a critical
leadership responsibility should develop and execute integrate plans that are based on the peace
agreement or mission mandate.11 This is why the people of South Africa continues to praise
Mandela because this was exactly what he meticulously executed in his time in office. A
charismatic leader can aid a state, so it is the last point under state need that must not be
overlooked.
Contributing factors that cause a state to fail are misuse of public funds, unnecessary
borrowing, and lack of opportunities for its citizens. According to Ghani et al, they concluded
that no state can be sovereign while it relies on an external source to fund its ongoing
operation.12 They are making the point that a state must fund its own country and proper
management of public funds can aid achieving that mission. They additionally mentioned that
income generated from industries and is included in the state budget can serve as measures for
accountability. However, this can mitigate the misuse public funds and have better
accountability. One might say that what also affects a state to fail is unnecessary borrowing.
11 Perito, Robert, ed. Guide for participants in peace, stability, and relief operations. US Institute of Peace Press,
2007.
12 Ghani,Ashraf, ClareLockhart, and Michael Carnahan. Closing the sovereignty gap: an approach to state-
building. London: Overseas Development Institute, 2005.

6. Once proper borrowing is conclude a state can then create opportunities for its citizen out of that
funds.
It must be mentioned that even after all these checklists are carried out, this does not
guarantee that a state will not fail, but it can prevent such failure. The organization of ideas are
merely subjective rather than objective. As humans we all think differently and this list might be
view dissimilar by someone else. Therefore, the order of priority is first instill proper laws and
regulations. Second, having good governance from the government whereby clear vision is
presented. Third, adhering to check and balance so that this confirms accountability and
transparency. Last but certainly not least, electing a charismatic leader who can understand the
people and deliver the needs and services that could aid a state from failure. Finally, all these
characteristics are strongly related and they overlap each other, but a state needs more than just
these four lists to avoid failure. The understanding of religion, culture, and the nation of interest
history also might aid policy makers when addressing state issues.
About the Author:
Captain Kenrick Lincoln Martinez Sr. is an Officer in the Belize Defence Force and is expected
to graduate from the Naval Postgraduate School on 19 June, 2015 with a Master’s Degree in
Defense Analysis.

7. References
Buchmann, Helena. “The Swiss Difference: A Gun Culture That Works”, World Times, 20
December, 2012, http://world.time.com/2012/12/20/the-swiss-difference-a-gun-culture-that-
works/
Chene, Marie. “What makes new Zealand, Denmark, Finland, Sweden and other “Cleaner” then
most Countries?” 7 December, 2011,http://blog.transparency.org/2011/12/07/what- makes-
new-zealand-denmark-finland-sweden-and-others- %E2%80%9Ccleaner%E2%80%9D-than-
most-countries/
Delva, Joseph.” Haiti’s Jean Claude Duvalier Trial: ’Baby Doc’ Faces Corruption Charges.” The
World Post, 13 January, 2012, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/30/haiti-jean-
claude-duvalier-trial_n_1241514.html
Enriquez, Andre. “Belize Superbond: A fight to The Debt.” The Reporter, 31 August, 2012,
http://www.reporter.bz/business/belize-superbond-a-fight-to-the-debt/
Ghani, Ashraf, Clare Lockhart, and Michael Carnahan. “Closing the sovereignty gap: an
approach to statebuilding.” London: Overseas Development Institute, 2005.
Martin, Putter, “The Little Difference: Rules, Rules, Nothing but rules”, The Basel Journal, 06
Febuary, 2015, http://baseljournal.ch/uncategorized/the-little-differences-9-rules-rules-nothing-
but-rules/
Perito, Robert, ed. Guide for participants in peace, stability, and relief operations. US Institute
of Peace Press, 2007.
Robert, Rotberg, When State Fail, Princeton University Press, 2003
Rodan, Maya, Honduras is Still The Murder Capital of the World, TIME, 14 February, 2014
http://world.time.com/2014/02/17/honduras-is-still-the-murder-capital-of-the-world/
Webster’s Third New International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged.
Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, 1993. Also available at http://www.merriam-
webster.com/.