10 Fastest Collapsing Countries and What Went Terribly Wrong

Societies have been built over centuries, however, some of them managed to collapse within a few years – here’s an analysis of the 10 fastest failing nations. 

It's always important to look back at history; wars, man-made crises, and other destructive actions of leaders have cost societies everything that they built over many years. With that said, an analysis of the reasons for a country's downfall is equally essential. Supporting nations that are collapsing or failing could be one of the key solutions for a stronger and more stable future. 

There Is More Than One Reason A Nation Fails: 

Several factors play a crucial role in determining the health of a nation. Power tussles amongst leaders, economic instability, lack of governance or resources – major factors that have implemented a negative growth on certain nations. When observing the factors of failure, it's important to first outline the key foundations of a prosperous nation. RP, robust economy, and a population that is filled with potential – these are just a few that the list include.

Understanding these issues is vital for every person who is curious about global matters. When a state collapses, it does not only affect the citizens of that particular country; in the most extreme scenario, it could even initiate regional violence or strain the relationship between countries across the globe. So it becomes reasonable to attempt to explain why such states are disintegrating and how those states can be rescued.

Let's start with Yemen and Venezuela: Countries that are high on donor's and international organization's agenda in the face of risk of collapse. Which countries can be included in the list of top ten at risk of famine, war, economic collapse and geographical collapse? Which states can be included in the list encompassing the masses and transnational governmental organizations?

A simple example would be Venezuela, a country which used to support the richest economies. It has, without a doubt, torn itself apart, as rampant financial issues, political disagreements and civil wars have sabotaged the country. In this case, It would help highlight the area under focus precisely. Civil wars that Yemen has witnessed have, without any doubt, resulted in people suffering from malnutrition.

Syria - Due to conflicts over a number of years, resources and the economy were entirely destroyed, this caused major migration for numerous years as well.

South Sudan – The 2011 independence marked relief for the country but unfortunately from then on it has constantly experienced civil wars resulting starvation for its people.

 
Libya - Libya emerged into a whirlpool of severe factional violence after Gaddafi’s exile, which resulted into leaders being only able to manage civil war and widespread poverty.

 
Haiti - Haiti has witnessed repeated cycles of, starting from brutal poverty, unstable government and cyclonic natural disasters, over the course of numerous decades.

Afghanistan - The most severe miedo for Afganistan post the exit of foreign more troops has been the installation of Taliban rule which will wipe out any progress made in the past 20 years. 

Democratic Republic of the Congo - Despite having a great abundance of resources at hand, the presence of brute corruption results in the country being the center of various issues. 

Somalia - Somalia is a country that has suffered for many years due to piracy, terrorism and the absence of a sturdy government, hence repeated wars and suffering of humanity is not a startling thing.

Zimbabwe – Once known as the ‘breadbasket of Africa’, Zimbabwe is today grappling with economic mishaps as well as authoritarian politics.

What are the Basic Problems

But it is quite essential to analyze the overall socio-economic and political factors that led to the disintegration or/and collapse of these nations. If you take Venezuela as an example, it’s one of the “socialist” countries that collapsed because of economic mismanagement and lowering oil prices. Yemen, for that matter, has been ripped apart by a runaway civil war, further exacerbated by external factors.

The Arab Spring is often seen as an international spy plot, aimed at subverting a government's control over its citizens along with triggering revolts in other nations. Often geopolitical plots result in outside influence over a country and the civil wars inside it, like the case of South Sudan. 

Haiti and the Afghan American conflict are infamously known for their extremities suffering the most, to understand what caused the colonially supressed nation of Haiti to act in such a manner.). And though violence within a nation almost never leads to development, the metal resources found in Congo only allow a country to spiral down due to ethnically centered rule. 

Countries such as Somalia can better illustrate an example, since previously aspiring to add greater context and comprehension to their nation, rather than allowing greater terrorism and piratism to flourish offshore. It’s rather fascinating to see the direct impact Colonialism has had on countries in existence such as Zimbabwe, leading them into a hyperinflation crisis, tied to unrealistic strengths in land reform policies. 

Focusing on countries witnessing slow growth even when off the coast of a cyclone (ex: Zimbabwe) due to colonization and dramatized nationalism policies, the American Arab spring certainly points towards greater states witnessing hyperactivity across the globe, borderline on tyranny.

Venezuela Oil dependence and the policies of ex-president Hugo Chavez is what contributed most in the demise of Venezuela. [...] Venezuelan policies have had a steep collapse where many resorted towards creating social programs, but through embezzlement and ludicrous ideas most became impossible to sustain. [...] Once the oil price sank things spiraled down and an economy collapse was consequential along with serious inflation and decrease in oil revenues. Yemen Houthi rebels started this power struggle opening a gap between the Gar Yeme and the Saudi and Iranian factions. [...] This gruesome power struggle over time culminated into a horrible humanitarian crisis that amplified disease and hunger to tens of millions. Syria [...] As Syria’s conflict began in the 2011’s civil protests long standing violence and military soldiers from many different countries depressed the state of the region into a war zone. [...] Most of the issues this horrendous natural disaster has caused us major socio economic disasters but the most dire has been the exodus of millions of refugees into Europe. Global Impact and Implications As it is with many things the struggle and defeat of these nations does not come in a vacuum and has significant implications geopolitically and in regard to trade.

From an economic standpoint, the collapse of these countries will have an effect on major markets or trade patterns, while politically, it will enhance the proliferation of organized crime and terroristic activities which undermines global peace and order. 

The displacement of such populations has severe implications in terms of refugee crisis, civil war and propensity towards violence. Such vulnerable populations would also be useful in securing the relevant alliances necessary to achieve geopolitical tension or military objectives. 

Bridging The Gap: Yesterday And Tomorrow But First The Challenges 

The challenges explaining these countries’ issues must be quite enormous. What is critical to note though is the fact that these events create a window of opportunity as there are innovative ways to tackle the problems that could help resolve the issues. Determining if success is politically feasible, targeting a specific outcome, and outlining the policy’s goal explains the necessary measures required.

One of the center problems to focus on would be the corruption, disparity or governance deficits which gives the certainty which is the desired one. In this respect, the United Nations or some other NGO’s can enhance inclusion, aid as well as political advancement through community integration. 

Turning Problems Into Advantages 

These ten states which have had difficulties in their inflows of resources have brought into clear sight the fact that the world order of politics and economics is not that straight forward. These facts and the implications are the aspects of global politics or international relations, foreign policies among other for students and budding professionals of any entity interested in global affairs. 

Contacting these countries and helping them solve their problems and aiding those underlying integrating disparities is something that the larger world should do. In such a case, we shall be able to assist in the stabilization of regions, the promotion of peace, and improving the world.

In case you are interested in how the countries got into such a situation, or what can be done to remedy the given circumstances it wouldn’t be useless to get in touch with practitioners of some of the branches that relate to global affairs, consider subscribing to the pertinent issues, and take part in more fruitful conversations with interested parties dealing with the matter. Dealing with these complex problems, and communicating with a view to solve them, should be the starting point of the efforts seeking to understand the issues at hand better.