The state and the future of conflict

This policy brief offers an initial analysis of types of state in relation to the global state of conflict ‘beyond fragility’. It also outlines starting points for how a change in global conflict management practices can be initiated.

The state remains the key actor in both enabling and conducting conflict. Four types of state play a particularly significant role: fragile states, brittle autocracies, violent democracies and regressing mature democracies.

In the 1990s, the international conflict management system re-oriented itself: From managing conflict between superpowers to providing palliative care for fragile states.

Today, in the 21st century, pursuing international peace requires an international conflict management system capable of handling how autocracies and democracies influence conflict as well.