Reason of weak state persist - Essay Example

This definition is regarded as more juridical rather than empirical because it emphasizes only on the international recognition not on a state’s actual ability to exercise control over its territory. Considering the above discussion, the most common perception of statehood is that presented by Weber, and when African states are analyzed on the basis of this definition it is very difficult to explain their persistence over a long period of time. Most of the African states do not possess a strong central government that exercises control over the entire population.

For example, Uganda is an African country which gained independence from the colonial regimes in 1962. Since then it is destroyed through internal wars and conflicts between various ethnic and political groups. The country has a poor economy with little industrialization and huge reliance on the foreign aid and debt to run its economy. The oppressive rulers of the country have faced uprising from the poor population numerous times with a huge portions of land in control of rebels at various times but still the central government persisted. . nternational recognition, the Ugandan government continues to enjoy its status as a sovereign entity despite having little control over its people and territory (Jackson and Rosberg, 4).

The role of international community in defining the nature of statehood can also be observed from other examples. The territories of Transkei, Venda, Bophuthatswana, and Ciskei are recognized as independent states by South African government. The control of the central governments over their territories in these countries is no worse than most of the Central African countries but still the international community never recognized their independent status and hence they could never exist as sovereign states (Jackson and Rosberg 14).

Similar is the case with the Kingdom of Buganda which is now a territory within Ugandan state. Buganda was a traditional African state which existed before the colonial period. When their leadership felt that the British had already decided to give independence to their colonies in the region, they declared independence in 1960. However, no other state recognized this independence. Hence, a territory which had a strong leadership and central government along with a rich culture and history of being an independent country could not achieve that status because of lack of international support.

It can be therefore understood from the above discussion that the African states are juridical in nature as explained by Brownlie with their right of statehood being driven from the international recognition that they possess. And this is perhaps one of the major reasons for their persistence despite their failure on social, political and economic fronts. The fact that majority of the people of the weak states do not rise up against the tyranny and oppression which is