Truly weak states are doing well just to establish a general sense of order.
Germany, in the past, has questioned the burden placed on thriving nations by weak states like Greece.
Another suggestion is for weak states to design policies that can be implemented by private firms and individuals.
Germany worries that reducing the pressure on weak states will lead to complacency.
But this is hard to pull off in weak states teeming with peasants in search of somewhere to plant their crops.
Weak states are also advised to think differently about their goals.
Even if the safeguards work, reforming weak states is hard.
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On a map of the world using the Brookings index of weak states, the epicentre is self-evidently sub-Saharan Africa, particularly around Congo, with blobs of red in Iraq, Afghanistan and Myanmar.
Part of the appeal of a preventive institution-building strategy such as this is that it costs far less than having to intervene with military force in places, such as Somalia, where weak states have already failed.
That leaves conflicts that rage in weak and failing states (as in parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan), or in ungoverned space (in parts of Somalia), where rival non-state actors, terrorist groups, militants and warlords do battle.
Economist Zandi offers a familiar refrain on how to improve some of these states hindered with weak business climates: Invest in education.
About the only weak spot is the United States, where it has a mere 3.5 percent, but with a new plant in Tennessee, the company is working hard to fix that.
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Pepsi Bottling Group struggled against the weak economic conditions in the United States as consumers cut spending on discretionary items, including bottled water, as the cost of fuel and other food pressed on their wallets.
Higher taxes at the top, along with the waning of fiscal stimulus and belt-tightening by the states, will make a weak growth rate weaker still.
More seriously, Mr Romney once again managed to remind America how weak his support is in the Midwestern states in which elections are won and lost.
If Christie held up under the pressure, he would appeal to working class Democrats (a group where Obama is already weak) and put into play Blue states such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
Ironically, the weak economy has helped spur casino growth among states seeking more revenue, Meister said.
Missouri is only one of several states where primary voters saddled Republican with weak candidates.
She stressed that EU funding was "extremely important" for many member states, faced with high unemployment and weak growth.
Japanese car maker Nissan has reported a big fall in third quarter profits, blaming weak demand in Europe, China and the United States.
Even weak programmers can make a good living in the United States.
The new bill will cosset the Christian right and the states' own monopolies, rather than protect the weak.
Its formula downgrades states for large debts, an uncompetitive business climate, weak home prices and bad trends in employment.
The weak political and economic state of the European Union gives the United States an opportunity to create our second global economic surge.
It is especially weak in areas relating to the definition of ground water resources, yet it states that no significant impacts to water resources are expected.
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With its big Army, weak government, and unpopular politicians, Iraq increasingly resembles the post-colonial states of Africa and the Arab world, which produced coup upon coup during the second half of the twentieth century.
Many of the states that would have to enforce a small-arms accord are too weak (partly because of the challenge they face from armed rebels or criminals) to do so.
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