[Page 852]State fragility refers to a situation where a state performs poorly in terms of economic capacity, political authority, and institutional legitimacy. Transitioning fragile states refers to donor supported transformations in political and institutional processes to move states toward resilience so they can better manage exogenous shocks such as regional conflicts, natural disasters, climate change, and global economic decline. Transitional support might include strengthening postconflict political settlements, as well as indigenous processes that underpin principal functions in providing key services, managing societal political pressures, and recognizing and supporting minority rights and the incorporation of women into the work and political spheres.

Those fragile states whose stagnation is so tenacious despite generous aid programs, are considered to be stuck in a “fragility trap.” States that are persistently ...