The Fragile States Index, developed in 2005 by a United States think-tank, the Fund for Peace, and the magazine Foreign Policy, is an annual ranking of 178 nations based on their levels of stability and the pressures they face. The Index is based on The Fund for Peace’s proprietary Conflict Assessment System Tool (CAST) analytical platform. The ranking is based on total scores in a number of dimensions, such as demographic pressure, uneven economics development and others, for which there are also specific scores.
Based on comprehensive social science methodology, data from three primary sources is triangulated and subjected to critical review to obtain final scores for the Fragile States Index.
The security apparatus should have a monopoly on use of legitimate force. The social contract is weakened where affected by competing groups. Includes pressures and measures related to: Security Apparatus, Internal Conflict, Small Arms Proliferation, Riots and Protests, Fatalities from Conflict, Military Coups, Rebel Activity, Militancy, Bombings, Political Prisoners.