OAGR 2160 - Fragile States: From War to Reconstruction

***UPDATED for 2025/26***

This seminar examines how states transition from war to reconstruction or fail to do so, using Ukraine and Gaza as central case studies. Students analyze the political economy of fragility, reconstruction financing mechanisms (IMF programs, EU Ukraine Facility, World Bank trust funds), military assistance systems, and the role of international organizations. Using primary sources and academic research, students develop skills in interpreting financial instruments, assessing governance trade-offs, and producing policy analysis. The course addresses critical debates: How do EU institutions prepare for reconstruction? Can states build institutions during active conflict? Can ownership and international support work hand-in-hand? Group projects require designing feasible reconstruction strategies under real constraints, addressing financing, governance, and coordination challenges.

Expect to challenge conventional views on violence and conflict-affected situations.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Understand structural causes of state fragility and how conflict transforms institutional capacity; analyze financial architecture of reconstruction including emergency instruments and innovative financing mechanisms.
• Evaluate the role of international organizations (UN, World Bank, IMF, EU) and major powers in supporting or neglecting fragile states; assess how military assistance affects state-building trajectories.
• Conduct comparative analysis of reconstruction efforts across different conflict contexts; interpret financial documents and assess trade-offs between immediate stabilization and long-term institutional transformation.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

• Policy analysis and memo writing for international organizations and government agencies
• Basic financial document interpretation (budgets, multilateral lending instruments)
• Strategic planning under constraints (political feasibility, resource limits)
• Collaborative project management in multidisciplinary teams
• Oral presentation and stakeholder communication
• Critical evaluation of complex multi-actor coordination challenges

No formal prerequisites. Background in international relations, development economics, or security studies helpful. Willingness to engage with technical financial documents and academic theory required. Students should be ready to prepare each class in advance (readings, questions).

Interactive seminar format. Feedback provided through: (1) In-class discussion comments and guidance; (2) Written comments on individual memo outline within 2 weeks of submission; (3) Detailed feedback after final presentations.

Office hours available for one-on-one consultation.

Class Participation (10%): Attendance, quality of contributions, throughout semester

Individual Policy Memo (45%): due post-Week 12

Group Project (45%): Written strategy paper + oral presentation.

• In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 2 hour per week
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 2.5 hour per week
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 2.5 hour per week

Students must complete all required readings before each session. Up to 5 readings per week. Come prepared with notes, questions, and initial reactions to readings. Students not ready to dedicate the required time should not take this course.