RESEARCH AREAS
Failed States: The last decades of the twentieth century have experienced wholesale examples of state weakness, especially in Africa. The WPF has commissioned studies on a variety of themes, and has published a series of reports and two books. The intent is to provide both practical and conceptual understanding to practitioners and scholars, and also to advance the field of conflict prevention and conflict avoidance by reaching testable propositions about vulnerable states.
Good Governance: Strengthening African governance is the focus of a new ranking index. Robert I. Rotberg, director of the Belfer Center's Program on Intrastate Conflict and Conflict Resolution, heads a team of researchers creating an annual Index of African Governance.
Strengthening African Leadership: This project is premised on the proposition that political leadership in Africa is weaker than it should be and needs to be. The project is being carried out in cooperation with the newly formed African Leadership Council, chaired by President Sir Ketumile Masire of Botswana. It will lead to a major capacity building exercise for young elected leadership.
Repressive and Rogue Nation-States: This project focuses on the manner in which the most repressive and aggressive nation-states prey on their peoples and also foment conflict.
