Eh yo, I have to write a paper and I have NO idea how to go about it. The proposition is "should Somalia be allowed to breakup into small independent, clan-based states." If anyone knows anything about the situation or can point me in the right direction, I'd be really appreciative

There are many countries in the world that were created by outsiders without regard to whether their inhabitants would actually get along. For example, the Shites and the Sunni muslims in Iraq do not belong under the same flag. Constant in-fighting insures that there will never be domestic peace, an absolute essential to constructing any kind of infrastructure.

Somalia has a weak but largely recognized central government authority that currently controls only the central region. Since the whole country isn't controlled by the central government, the recognized government is constantly battling to exercise dominion and control over certain parts of their population. Any action that they take that conflicts with the warlords that control the rest of the country results in gun battles.

Of course, a de-centralized government of City-States almost ensures that the areas will often battle for resources and eventually one will emerge as dominant. The problem with that scenario is that there is a ton of collateral damage, with regular people dying in the cross-fire.

Separation only works with physical barriers to keep the warring factions apart. A wide river, mountain range or desert area are ideal to guaranty that different folks don't meet often. Without established lines, there will be constant fighting to determine boundaries.

Also might want to touch base on another major problem thay have out there. The Islamic Courts Union that was formed as an Islamic counterpart to the Transitional Government. Also a lot of other European countires and the US have been accused of supplying weapons and other items to warlords to keep the south destabilized. A lot of countries get their beaks wet in that area so to seperate would just open the gates to have the major countries place stakes in the governments being formed via food and loans.

Ah, I feel you. I'm guessing then your opinion would be that Somalia stays as is and tries to work out their differences? What I'm getting at I suppose is that the paper is supposed to have whether you agree/disagree with the proposition and 3 reasons why you agree as well as 3 counter- arguments that could be considered. I probably overlooked something, but can either you or Nuke explain why it could be beneficial for Somalia to stay as one nation as opposed to breaking up?

Yo would you mind providing a link to something that talks about that so I can use it in my paper?

Somalia? Are you kidding me? That may be the shortest paper ever writen! What class?

I have a lot of knowlege on the area if you are interested.

If the area was broken up into 'states' there would be civil wars daily to take land from other 'states'. Sounds like a crappy question for a paper