Iain King

Iain King is a British academic, author, and consultant specializing in conflict resolution, state-building, and international relations. He is known for his work on the concept of absent institutions and their impact on fragile states.

King has held various academic and governmental positions, including serving as a Senior Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Civil War at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) and working for the United Nations. He has also worked as a consultant for organizations involved in peacebuilding and development.

His research and writing often focus on the practical challenges of governance in post-conflict environments and the importance of understanding local context in designing effective interventions. He advocates for a pragmatic and adaptive approach to state-building, emphasizing the need to address immediate needs while simultaneously fostering long-term institutional development. King's work contributes to the broader fields of political science, development studies, and peace and conflict studies. He is the author of several books and articles on related topics.