Definition of a Failed State…

Some of these nations are the incarnation of anarchy, like Somalia - which occupies first place in the 2011 index for the world’s 60 Failed States compiled by the international bi-monthly magazine on politics and economics «Foreign Policy».

Others are simply forgotten territories, like the Republic of Central Africa – perhaps the most miserable and arid spot on the planet. But it’s not always lack of resources that lead to the misery of Failed States.

A constant example of this is Nigeria (in 8th place on the list of failures), which actually produces 2.5 million barrels of petroleum per day. Immensely rich, Nigeria is a lucrative oligarchy for a privileged group of politicians and businessmen.

Members of Parliament here earn more than a million dollars a year, and the capital city of Abuja rivals Dubai for its degree of ostentation.

But outside the privileged circles poverty is deep-rooted. The majority of hospitals and schools are rundown and it’s estimated that 70% of the population live on less than two dollars per day (while young people are those most affected by widespread unemployment).

According to the «Foreign Policy» index, Portugal is in 163rd position, out of 177 countries. Theoretically, we’re a long way from Failed State classification.

But in practice? Well, therein lies the rub. Without the guarantee of external help in the form of 78 thousand million euros, what would have become of us? Lack of money is already ubiquitous.

One in ten municipalities is broke and it’s no longer the man-in-the-street who’s the only one suffering the brunt of the current apparently unstoppable swathe of bankruptcies.

A recent example is the mega-luxury tourist complex, Campo Real, in Torres Vedras that has suddenly gone belly-up. Representing a 170-million euro investment, the project included a 151-room hotel, SPA, golf course, riding centre and 371 houses.

In a second phase, the Orizon group of developers was planning another 343 houses, which would have cost another 100 million euros to build. Could we really have that many rich people to sustain a project like this?

Clearly, we’ve received an answer – and contrary to Nigeria, Portugal has no oil.

It’s also unlikely that we’ll be receiving further community founds from Europe ever again…