Lecture 6 State Capacity Flashcards
What is state capacity?
State capacity is the ability of state institutions to effectively implement official goals.
How is state capacity different from state autonomy?
State autonomy refers to the independence of a state from external influences and its ability to make decisions without undue pressure or interference, while state capacity is about the effectiveness in implementing official goals.
What is coercive capacity?
Coercive capacity refers to a state’s ability to maintain their monopoly of power and deliver a minimum level of security for citizens.
What is administrative capacity?
Administrative capacity refers to a state’s ability to implement policies and deliver basic public services.
What is extractive capacity?
Extractive capacity refers to a state’s ability to generate the resources needed to sustain both coercive and administrative capacity.
How does state capacity affect democratisation?
State capacity strengthens both democracy and autocracy by maintaining power through coercive capacity, keeping citizens satisfied through administrative capacity, and sustaining these efforts through extractive capacity.
What is the state-first argument by Fukuyama?
Fukuyama argues that a country needs strong state capacity before democratisation to establish and sustain democracy, preventing the return of autocracy.
What is sequencing in the context of state capacity and democratisation?
Sequencing refers to the idea that building state capacity should precede democratisation to ensure stability and prevent a return to autocracy.
What is gradualism in the context of state capacity and democratisation?
Gradualism advocates for implementing reforms step-by-step rather than through sudden changes, reducing the risk of destabilisation and enhancing sustainable democratic development.
What is the paradox of state capacity regarding regime transition and stabilisation?
States with weak state capacity are more likely to experience regime transition but less likely to achieve regime stabilisation, while states with strong state capacity are less likely to transition but more likely to stabilise.
What is state capture?
State capture is a situation where powerful individuals, groups, or organisations manipulate state institutions and processes for their own benefit, undermining democratic principles and weakening governance.
How does state capture undermine democracy?
State capture concentrates power in the hands of a few, erodes checks and balances, hinders transparency and accountability, and often involves corruption, cronyism, and collusion.
What are the consequences of state capture?
State capture leads to the subversion of state institutions, weakened governance, and impeded socio-economic development.
What is a nation-state?
A nation-state is a political entity where the boundaries of the state coincide with a common nation, united by common descent, history, culture, or language.
How do political leaders use the concept of a nation?
Political leaders use the concept of a nation to create an identity and sense of belonging to a political community, mobilizing people for their goals.
