The concept of a “failed state” is derived from a US narrative aimed at justifying military interventions in countries of interest. This is the contention of political analyst, Professor Steven Friedman.

He was speaking as businesses have now adopted this phrase to claim that the government is failing its mandate.

But Friedman says that there is only noise about this concern now because it’s affecting the middle class and the rich.

He says that the government was relatively free of criticism when the problem of high prices and poor service delivery only impacted the poor.

Friedman notes that big business is using the failed state narrative to claim that it is only the private sector can save the country.

This thinking however ignores that business and government have worked together, yet still managed to fail the people.