Undermining Stability
Political stability = securing of a regime from threat of internal overthrow by revolution or rebellion.
Usually through military + economic terms but also by fostering social unity through acceptance of
dominant ideology.
Levels of Economic Development:
"Many see direct link between level of economic development + degree of stability of political system".
Mali - NW Africa, 25 poorest countries in world + mainly desert, only 2 rivers in its territory both south.
5.5% - arable + revenue from exported crops + gold both fluctuate in value.
Unemployment rate = 30 + GDP per capita $1100 (214th world ranking).
Spend 1.3% of GDP. $17.35bn (137th worldwide) on military compared USA - $15.66trn.
Encouraged history - instability latest coup March 2012 to depose President Toure + interim President
Traore to move Mali - democratic rule.
Tuareg rebels known as National Movement for Liberation of Azawad, teamed up with Islamist
fundamentalists, Ansar Dine, attempt to overthrow President Traore.
Intervention of French Army January 2013 + 6000 delegation of African troops managed to repel the back
from the south.
Tuareg tribe fighting autonomous region whilst Ansar Dine want Sharia law through north + secular
south.
No doubt - instability to fund national military + develop economy, especially cities north of country =
exacerbation of tribal + sectarian divisions.
Unresponsive State:
Lack of opportunities for citizens to influence who control apparatus of state - undermine stability.
Exacerbated - feeling one group are discriminated due to sectarian, ethnic/racial differences.
Bahrain's population = 70% Shiite Muslims but all jobs in gov. filled by Sunni Muslims who have been
brought from neighbouring countries.
Bahraini royal family - Sunni Muslims + King Hamad has absolute power.
Parliament merely suggests reforms - many ignored.
Parliament headed by unelected PM - been in power 42 years + is King Hamad's uncle.
State media whipped up anti-Shia prejudice + continues to accuse protestors as traitors backed by Iran.
Protest 14th Feb. 2011 called for democracy + end royal family rule.
80 people killed + thousand arrested for participating. Doctors who help those injured were arrested.
Main Shiite opposition group, Al Wefaq calling redrawing gerrymandered constituency boundaries +
equal access to gov. jobs for Shias - face discrimination borders apartheid.
Escalation in protests leading up - F1 race Manama April 2013 - roads being blocked around airport +
firebombs being thrown at police responded with tear gas + birdshot - 16 year old boy died.
Regime twice cancelled planned visit UN's torture expert - suspicions Bahraini policy hiding info.
State benefited Shia + Sunni Muslims equally + more responsive to their needs + demands then current
instability could have been avoided.
War:
Alexander the Great(336-323 BC) + Genghis Khan(1162-1227), Anglo Afghan Wars (1838-1842, 1878-1880,
1919), the Soviet-Afghan War (1978-1989)+ US led Afghan War 2001-present.
Countless inter tribal wars, Afghanistan - territory torn apart by war.
Suffer from corruption + one of the poorest countries.
Main source of income - poppy farming - produce 80% world's heroin.
Infrastructure - struggled to develop in sustained manner due to history of wars.
Corruption - American aid squandered + Islamist fundamentalist Taliban regime wait in the wings for
inevitable withdrawal of Western troops.
Afghan president Hamid Karzai, viewed by Islamists as a stooge of America + survived 4 attempts on his
life.
Political stability = securing of a regime from threat of internal overthrow by revolution or rebellion.
Usually through military + economic terms but also by fostering social unity through acceptance of
dominant ideology.
Levels of Economic Development:
"Many see direct link between level of economic development + degree of stability of political system".
Mali - NW Africa, 25 poorest countries in world + mainly desert, only 2 rivers in its territory both south.
5.5% - arable + revenue from exported crops + gold both fluctuate in value.
Unemployment rate = 30 + GDP per capita $1100 (214th world ranking).
Spend 1.3% of GDP. $17.35bn (137th worldwide) on military compared USA - $15.66trn.
Encouraged history - instability latest coup March 2012 to depose President Toure + interim President
Traore to move Mali - democratic rule.
Tuareg rebels known as National Movement for Liberation of Azawad, teamed up with Islamist
fundamentalists, Ansar Dine, attempt to overthrow President Traore.
Intervention of French Army January 2013 + 6000 delegation of African troops managed to repel the back
from the south.
Tuareg tribe fighting autonomous region whilst Ansar Dine want Sharia law through north + secular
south.
No doubt - instability to fund national military + develop economy, especially cities north of country =
exacerbation of tribal + sectarian divisions.
Unresponsive State:
Lack of opportunities for citizens to influence who control apparatus of state - undermine stability.
Exacerbated - feeling one group are discriminated due to sectarian, ethnic/racial differences.
Bahrain's population = 70% Shiite Muslims but all jobs in gov. filled by Sunni Muslims who have been
brought from neighbouring countries.
Bahraini royal family - Sunni Muslims + King Hamad has absolute power.
Parliament merely suggests reforms - many ignored.
Parliament headed by unelected PM - been in power 42 years + is King Hamad's uncle.
State media whipped up anti-Shia prejudice + continues to accuse protestors as traitors backed by Iran.
Protest 14th Feb. 2011 called for democracy + end royal family rule.
80 people killed + thousand arrested for participating. Doctors who help those injured were arrested.
Main Shiite opposition group, Al Wefaq calling redrawing gerrymandered constituency boundaries +
equal access to gov. jobs for Shias - face discrimination borders apartheid.
Escalation in protests leading up - F1 race Manama April 2013 - roads being blocked around airport +
firebombs being thrown at police responded with tear gas + birdshot - 16 year old boy died.
Regime twice cancelled planned visit UN's torture expert - suspicions Bahraini policy hiding info.
State benefited Shia + Sunni Muslims equally + more responsive to their needs + demands then current
instability could have been avoided.
War:
Alexander the Great(336-323 BC) + Genghis Khan(1162-1227), Anglo Afghan Wars (1838-1842, 1878-1880,
1919), the Soviet-Afghan War (1978-1989)+ US led Afghan War 2001-present.
Countless inter tribal wars, Afghanistan - territory torn apart by war.
Suffer from corruption + one of the poorest countries.
Main source of income - poppy farming - produce 80% world's heroin.
Infrastructure - struggled to develop in sustained manner due to history of wars.
Corruption - American aid squandered + Islamist fundamentalist Taliban regime wait in the wings for
inevitable withdrawal of Western troops.
Afghan president Hamid Karzai, viewed by Islamists as a stooge of America + survived 4 attempts on his
life.
