What is a common governance challenge faced by new states after decolonization?

• A. Stable governance and development
• B. No governance challenges
• C. Immediate economic prosperity without reform
• D. Continuity of colonial borders intact

Answer: (A)

Building stable governance and development is a common challenge for new states after decolonization. When a colony becomes independent, its political systems, public administration, and legal frameworks are often fragile or underdeveloped. Leaders must swiftly establish institutions, draft constitutions, organize security, and create accountable government all while managing limited resources and diverse populations. Weak institutions, political instability, corruption, and security threats can make delivering basic services, enforcing laws, and spurring economic growth difficult, so stable governance and development remain central hurdles in the early years of many new states.

So why the other ideas don’t fit as well: governance challenges are almost always present, not nonexistent; prosperity without reform is unrealistic because growth depends on capable institutions and policies; and while some borders may be inherited from colonial times, simply keeping borders intact doesn’t address the everyday problems of building effective governance.