A large number of weak and failing states lack national public goods, from basic order and property rights to physical and social infrastructure. Reducing the “bads” that spillover from such failing states, as well as meeting humanitarian needs rampant within them, is a growing motivation for donor and neighboring countries. Responses to this threat require cross-border efforts at “state building” which has become an increasing goal on the global agenda. It also has fundamental implications for food security.

The question arises: how do these two attributes interact? Is there a vicious cycle between them? Claims are common that state failure, especially to provide peace, is a major cause of chronic hunger and famine. Arguments that food insecurity encourages violence and governance failure exist, but are less compelling.

The Brown bag outlined arguments around these points, and suggested topics for research. For example, are there virtuous circles linking successful food policy and state building? Does broad based success in agricultural production and marketing enhance legitimacy and voluntary compliance? What role might food-related assistance from abroad [from research and training to safety net guarantees] play in the strengthening of weak governments? Were this role powerful, at least in some contexts, there is a strong rationale for IFPRI research on “growth linkages” between variations in state capacity and our historical focus on farm production, agricultural markets and nutrition.