The Perception of International Hierarchy in the Failed States Discourse

The main claim of this study is that the “failed states” discourse, emerging in the United States in early 1990s, is both a product of the perception about international hierarchical structure and used for reconstructing this structure. This discourse is based on the conception of modern national state and sovereignty that formed under unique conditions of European history and reflects the perception of superiority of Western states with this normative “successful state” assumption. The failed states discourse, in which the perception of international hierachy can be seen in almost all its claims about the causes, consequences and solutions of state failure, produces suggestions and practices that are questioning the traditional view on international sovereignty. With this aspect, the discourse carries the assumption of relative superiority of states beyond the strength based discussion and rebuild it in the frame of domestic and international sovereignty.