The World's Most Failed States
 

http://www.slate.com/id/2297437?GT1=38001

Click on the images:

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/article..._2011?page=0,0

*****

Dramatically but arguably realistically entitled "Postcards from Hell, 2011."

These images are neither brand new nor surprising and they still make me lose my breath. Why these are considered the most failed states is a gigantic topic.

Those who aren't afraid to observe (and admit to observing) the demographic make up of things may (or should) see no coincidence that the cultural, racial, and ethnic make up of these areas is highly correlated with the economic/class make up of these areas.

You'd have to be a fool not to notice.

I can't help but see the religious aspect, but I suppose that can fall within cultural/ethnic side.

I had to add the "GC disclaimer" for those who are terrified to not be a fool.

Yep religion falls within the cultural and ethnic.

I see a lot of places where colonial powers came in and drew imaginary lines saying "You are ~COUNTRY~*"
*Under the rule of ~EUROPEAN COUNTRY~
Not all, but many.

And we wonder why there's not enough sense of nationalism to hold them together as a nation.

I'm holding out hopes for South Sudan and that the split makes it better. Also, as the thread on Sudan's split noted, the religious lines are not often as simple as people assume and many of the fights are more about tribal lines than religion.

I just wish that I had a magic solution and the power to implement it.

Thanks for reminding me: http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ighlight=sudan

You would be loved by many and hated by many. Dangerous combination.

Was there an African country that WASN'T on the list? I didn't see South Africa, and some (like Liberia and Ethiopia) were considered relative "success stories," but dag yo. :(

I'm sure that has a lot to do with the fact that, after colonialism was done, these places were left on their own without the tools to govern themselves properly.

Hey, colonialists were sent by God to save those yellower and browner people from themselves. They aren't responsible for what those people do with the wealth of knowledge and opportunities given to them. Colonialism then and now.

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...O2e-MdFmMK5Af9

And again they were only separate states because Europe told them so, often grouping tribes together by shear military force and then when they left, well gee they fight.

But I'd be all knowing and magical and therefore it'd be worth it.
Hey this is our country!
Do you have a flag?
Er.. no.
No flag, no country. You can't have it.

/Izzard.