When good fences make bad neighbors : fixed borders, state weakness, and international conflict

Since the end of World War II, the norm of fixed borders—the proscription against foreign conquest and annexation of homeland territory—has gained prevalence in world politics. But have fixed borders made international conflict less frequent? Observers might assume they have, given that territorial issues have historically been a major cause of war. However, among sociopolitically weak states (i.e., states that lack legitimate and effective governmental institutions), fixed borders can actually increase instability and conflict. Good fences can make bad neighbors.