The Art of State-Building: Why America Succeeds

• In Event: The Evolution of US Military Interventions and State-building Projects

Abstract

Under what conditions does the United States succeed in rebuilding foreign countries it occupies? Based on archival research, historical literature and interviews, The Art of State-Building: Why America Succeeds in Rebuilding States After Military Intervention offers a qualitative structured focused comparison of American state-building efforts in two countries. The puzzle motivating this paper is why has the United States succeeded in rebuilding some states after military intervention, but failed in others. Why, for example, did the reconstruction of West Germany post World War II turn into a success story, while the United States efforts in Iraq fail? I argue in this paper that the United States succeeds in rebuilding states only when it enjoys alliances with some of the political forces from within a target country under its occupation. This condition that the policy and scholarly communities often overlook determines the degree of success that the United States achieves. To make my case, I investigate West Germany 1945-1955, and compare it to the American occupation of Iraq. By doing so, the paper highlights why and how alliances with political forces from within a target country enable the United States to succeed in its state-building intervention, thus turning its decisive military victory into a long-lasting strategic success. The findings of this study have direct policy implications on decisions of war, prewar planning, postwar efforts and American grand strategy in general.

Author

• Karim Elkady, Center for Strategic Studies, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy