Degree

BS (Social Sciences & Liberal Arts)

Faculty / School

School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS)

Department

Department of Social Sciences & Liberal Arts

Date of Award

Fall 2025

Date of Submission

2025-07-11

Advisor

Yumna Fatima, Lecturer, Department of Social Sciences

Project Type

SSLA Culminating Experience

Access Type

Restricted Access

Keywords

State Weakness, Civil War, Comparative Case Study, Political Exclusion.

Abstract

This senior year thesis explores the role that state weakness plays in the emergence and intensification of civil wars through a comparative analysis of four contemporary conflict zones: Afghanistan, Syria, Rwanda, and Yemen. Drawing from the theoretical perspectives of Max Weber, Robert Rotberg, Joel Migdal, Charles Tilly, and Ted Gur, this research delves into how state characteristics like political exclusion, territorial fragmentation, lack of resource mobilisation, and economic mismanagement and elite corruption lead to the emergence and intensification of civil wars. It uses a qualitative comparative case study method to trace recurring patterns across different contexts. While civil wars can be influenced by other various factors, this research argues that state weakness consistently provides the fertile ground in which civil wars are more likely to emerge and escalate. This study seeks to offer practical insights for policy and conflict prevention by highlighting the importance of inclusive governance, institutional reforms, and structured international aid in mitigating state weakness and preventing civil war.

Pages

50

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