Nation Building

The process of rebuilding infrastructure, government, and industry in postconflict or failed states. One of the largest projects of nation building during the 20th century was the reconstruction of Germany and Japan after World War II. Since the end of the Cold War, the United States has again been drawn into the arduous task of helping nations rebuild after years of conflict and violence.

The two most recent attempts at nation building can be seen in Afghanistan and Iraq. Following the U.S.-led interventions in each of these nations, the United States, supported by members of the international community, has worked to help these nations develop their governments, rebuild vital infrastructures (including roads, power systems and schools), and lay the groundwork for functioning and productive industry.

Nation building is a process filled with challenge—it is expensive, time-consuming, and often only marginally successful. Some of the many challenges include the introduction of a democratic form of government in a state that may have been ruled by tyranny for many years. There might be a shortage of qualified, educated leaders to fill government positions, corruption might be rampant, and the norms of democracy, including voting and civilly managing conflict, might not be well-established among the population of the country.

Particularly in protracted conflicts (such as in the Balkans during the 1990s), the possibility of significant devastation to basic infrastructure is high. Although the rebuilding of infrastructure is a high priority in nation building, garnering the necessary resources and protecting these projects from postconflict flares of violence is often challenging. Particularly in rural areas, it often takes many years to rebuild roads, install power lines and water purification systems, and rebuild and staff schools.

Ideally, rebuilding the infrastructure and establishing a functioning government provides the basis for the return of industry. Here, too, there are significant challenges, including the lack of an educated workforce, the decimation or nonexistence of natural resources, and sometimes the control of economic resources by a small group of elites unwilling to contribute to the overall economic health of the populace. In addition, nations that for years have been mired in conflict might find it particularly difficult to compete on the global market.

One final challenge in the process of nation building is the ever-present threat that violent conflict might return. As the process of nation building in Iraq has demonstrated, members of the deposed regime can and often do violently disrupt the process of nation building.

Despite obstacles, nation building remains an important task for the international community. It serves to promote national stability, spreads a doctrine of human rights and democracy, and, if successful, can significantly improve the quality of life for those who live in postconflict societies. The international community's continued experience with nation building has led to the adoption of certain best practices.

First, it is clearly critical to involve all ethnic, religious, and minority groups within the state in the process. Doing so ensures that the democratic goals of representative government can be met, and further decreases the likelihood of marginalized groups challenging the legitimacy of the new government. Second, adequate resources, are important; as the United States quickly learned in Iraq, rebuilding a nation takes significant financial resources—resources that few single nations can afford to commit. Soliciting aid from the [Page 511]United Nations, other foreign nations, and nongovernmental organizations is clearly critical if nation building is to be successful.

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