This chapter introduces the major conceptual developments in the research on security. It addresses the conceptualization of both state and human security in relation to empirical, political changes in the international landscape from post–World War II to contemporary times. The discussion throughout focuses on state versus human security and the bulk of studies made on the content of and links between these two. The overall aim is to contextualize and introduce the discussion of protection and prevention responsibilities in Chapter 3. We begin with an outline of what state-centricity means as a security concept. Traditional views are presented followed by contemporary observations regarding state capacity relative to what has become known as weak, failing and failed states. Empirical data from the World Bank, the UK Department for International Development, Foreign Policy, the Fund for Peace and Transparency International is presented and analysed as to its relevance to state capacity and capability.

The Kosovo crisis and the Rwanda crisis of the 1990s and the current situation in Somalia, Chad and Sudan are critically analysed in this chapter to provide practical examples of what has come to be known as the failed state syndrome. According to the data mentioned above, Somalia, Chad and Sudan are failed states, with up to thirty other states under critical stress. Our intention is to not only demonstrate the multiple levels of failure within such states but also to show how the international community responds to such humanitarian disasters.