Conceptualising state collapse: an institutionalist approach

Figures & data

Figure 1. Dimensions of statehood.

Table 1. The concept of state collapse.

Rule making	Means of violence	Taxation
First-level indicators
• Cessation of the work of the High Court • No formal legislation • Government or parliament leaves the capital	• De jure dissolution of the security forces • Security forces do not control the whole capital	• No official government budget is declared • Central bank ceases work
Secondary indicators
• Massive corruption • Laws are only rarely enforced • Widespread legal pluralism	• Security forces become de facto private militias • Security forces control only small parts of the country • Private non-state actors control large portions of the country	• No organised fiscal administration • Taxation by non-state actors • Tax ratio below 8%

Table 2. cases of state collapse.

Cases of state collapse
Afghanistan	1979		Iraq	2003
Afghanistan	2001		Laos	1960
Angola	1992		Lebanon	1975
Bosnia and Herzegovina	1992		Liberia	1990
Chad	1979		Sierra Leone	1998
Congo-Kinshasa	1960		Somalia	1991
Congo-Kinshasa	1996		Tajikistan	1992
Georgia	1991		Uganda	1985
Guinea-Bissau	1998