Limits of Human Development in Weak States

The article presents a critical evaluation of the concepts of human development and weak statehood and outlines the relationship between them. It is argued that weak statehood has a very significant impact on the success of development strategies even if they stem from human development goals. For example, weak statehood has a direct effect on the provision or non-provision of public goods by the state. Therefore, connecting these concepts provides a perspective for analyzing various issues linked to implementation of development strategies. In conclusion, the article presents the concept of ‘functional networking’ as a tool for development in the anarchic environment of weak statehood. Functional networking is based on placing unmistakable emphasis on the development of individuals (daily livelihood of families), acceptance of Amartya Sen’s condition of the freedom of individuals in terms of decision and opportunity, and the involvement of civil society.