Constructing States: The Role of the International Community in the Creation of New States

Abstract

Traditional models of state creation focus on the capability of the new state to govern its population and territory and to interact with existing states. The collapse of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, and the creation of new, smaller states from their constituent pans, indicate that the focus has shifted. The international community has indicated its willingness to rec­ognize states that merely make commitments to protect hu­ man rights, govern themselves democratically, and promote international peace and security. However, by abandoning the old standards, these new states likely lack the capacity to fulfill those commitments. The international community that cre­ated these new states will find itself drawn into the state­ building process if it wants to see those commitments met.