Fragile states have several key characteristics: (1) uncertain control of territory and/or not having full control of legitimate use of force; (2) decline in legitimacy of collective and authoritative government decisions; (3) difficulties with providing public goods and services; (4) problems with interacting with other states as a member of the larger international community. Data on The Fund for Peace’s Fragile State Index from 2016 are used to measure the dependent variable. The independent variables of interest are health and nutrition, to determine if these factors-as influences on citizens’ behavior-would have anything to do with fragility. This paper, then, explores the role of two biosocial variables in affecting degree of fragility. Results are discussed as well as implications.

Many factors have been adduced to explain why some states become democracies and others not. Accepted variables predicting democracy include education level, economic development, urbanization, communication networks and so on. This paper will explore two biological variables’ role—nutrition level and health status. Comparative data are used to explore the effects of these variables on level of democracy. Implications are discussed.