Countries in the ranking: Germany in seventh place – success or danger?

Countries in the ranking: Germany in seventh place – success or danger?

The Stateness Index (StIx) project is being continued at the University of Passau, which represents an important step in the study of the functioning of states worldwide. Dr. Theresa Paola Stawski leads this project, which was originally funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) at the University of Würzburg. The results are on the Homepage of the Stateness Index can be viewed, which offers online analysis tools for exploring country profiles and trends. The website's target groups include researchers, political actors, students and the interested public.

In the current ranking, Singapore takes first place as the best-functioning state, followed by Estonia and Denmark. Germany has improved to seventh place, while six countries are considered to have collapsed. The balance from 2023 to 2024 is slightly positive: of 174 states, 88 have improved, while 80 have suffered a regression. A worrying finding is that in 2024, a total of 93 of 174 states will be classified as defective to varying degrees, with more than half considered fragile. Countries such as Libya, Yemen and Haiti occupy the last places in the ranking.

The dynamics of states and institutions

The empirical cases of states illustrate that they consist of a mix of formal and informal institutions and practices. Formal institutions represent the state through written rules and regulations that are implemented and enforced by the state itself. Informal institutions, on the other hand, are not based on the sovereign claims of the state, but rather arise from the actual assertive power of non-state actors and groups. These informal institutions can legislate and enforce their own rules, which significantly influences the relationships between formal and informal structures.

The Stateness Index simplifies the interactions between state and informality by focusing on the conflictual relationships and negative effects between these two institutions. The effects of such dynamics are often ambiguous and vary depending on the context, institutional setting and dynamic factors. This differentiated view is of great importance for the analysis of the fragility of states.

Fragile states and their global impact

In the modern world of states, the state fulfills a dual regulatory function. It ensures public order for specific populations within territorial boundaries and contributes to the global order of the international system. However, fragile statehood, the painful reality of weak, failing or failed states, undermines these basic functions. Such states are often unable to provide essential services or meet basic societal needs. This has far-reaching consequences on both a national and international level.

The problems of fragile states are not only local, but also radiate into the region and the entire international community. They are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of globalization and cannot take advantage of its positive aspects. Therefore, the topic of state-building is seen as a key contribution to a global structural and regulatory policy that aims at a fairer distribution of opportunities and resources. The approach to strengthening states is becoming increasingly important in order to stabilize the international community and meet the challenges of the present time.