Societal Dynamics and Fragility : Engaging Societies in Responding to Fragile Situations

Marc, Alexandre ; Willman, Alys ; Aslam, Ghazia ; Rebosio, Michelle ; Balasuriya, Kanishka

Washington, DC:World Bank

关键词: ACHIEVEMENT;    ADAPTABILITY;    AGE GROUPS;    ATTENTION;    ATTRIBUTION;   

DOI  :  10.1596/978-0-8213-9656-8
RP-ID  :  74272

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

The objective of the study reported inthis book was to understand how societal dynamics can bemobilized toward a convergence across groups in society andthus toward greater social cohesion overall. The team beganwith an extensive consultation phase to identify some keysocietal dynamics that seemed important in understandingfragility. The German Development Cooperation (GIZ) was akey partner in the study, providing support to theanalytical phase in the form of a background paper, andtechnical advice throughout the preparation of the report.The team continued to consult with these experts throughoutthe fieldwork and the writing of the book. This book reportsa study about societal relationships in fragile situations.Drawing on relevant literature and fieldwork in fivecountries, it suggests that fragility, violent conflict, andstate failure are functions not only of state inability orunwillingness to perform core tasks, but also ofdysfunctional relationships in society that do not permit astate to be formed or sustained. The present chapter hasintroduced the problem of fragility and suggested thatseeing fragility as a problem of relationships in societycan lead to more effective interventions in fragilesituations. Chapter two turns to a key area of societalrelations, the state society relationship in fragilesituations. Chapter three begins a conversation about socialcohesion in fragile situations. It suggests a criticalelement of social cohesion: a convergence across groups insociety. Chapter four discusses how perceptions of injusticeacross groups can deepen divisions and hinder coexistenceand collective action. Many times such perceptions can beeven more influential than measurable differences acrossgroups (such as income inequality) in fomenting resentmentand division. Chapter five then takes up the issue ofinteractions between institutions in fragile situations. Itis suggested that social cohesion contributes to moreconstructive interactions among institutions, increasingtheir capacity to realize development goals. Chapter sixshifts the focus to certain relationships in society thatare particularly important for social cohesion. Chapterseven describes an overall approach to policy andprogramming, including how to conduct research and developknowledge from this perspective. Chapter eight offersspecific orientations for adapting existing tools andinstruments to address the societal bases of fragility.