Good afternoon, everyone so to start with the critique of the paper by Mr. Altura and Mr.

Tan let me
start by stating the

Strengths of the paper

- Sub questions are framed by the researchers in a way that answering them would strengthen the
base arguments for the main question

- Their claims were substantially supported with the needed empirical data

- They considered and properly elaborated on possible counter statements with regards to their
claim

- The evaluation and analysis of the roles of primary actors involved helps in the overall
construction of arguments and provides stable ground for accuracy in assumption ( for instance,
the researchers tackled individual components such as various peace keeping efforts constituted
by specific branches of the UN)

- The tables and graphs were relevant supplementary elements of the paper and were explained in
a comprehensive manner that presents congruence with the primary data

- The conceptual framework chosen by the researchers provide direct congruity with the study for
the selected variables are directly implied to the stated claims of the research paper.

Weaknesses/limits

Specific:

Based on their research question, the researchers aimed to identify causal mechanisms since
it is stated: (1) How does foreign military intervention affect state-building?

- there is already an assumed relationship. But in the significance of the study the
researchers mentioned (it could help future researchers to have a more simplified
explanation on the possibility of a relationship between foreign interventions in state-
building) which is incongruent with the main research question if not contradictory. Since
the question of how has validated the relationship, it is no longer comprehensive to question
the possibility of the said relationship

whether it results in the success or a failure of a state a statement from the Significance of the
study

- must be more modest with their claims because results to failure or success ; is a
statement which disregards the existence of other factors which may affect the selected
 variables as observed in the paper (it may contribute to the possibility of success or failure but it
is clearly not a sole determinant)

General:

- arguments are valid yet are weakened by grammatical errors which generate confusion regarding
specific points (example: fragile states are as they continued. on the other hand, fragile
states)

In addition, the statement found in the Scope and Limitations: Furthermore, this attempts to
determine if whether the independent variables has the greatest impact on the dependent
variable. is incomprehensible

(I believe they meant: which among the stated dependent variables greatly affect the
dependent variable ; since it is a given fact that there would be an expected impact
for it is the independent variable)

Secondary data such as key economic indicators were obtained from a singular source (name of
source) and were not further validated by stating similar claims by other possible sources

Moving on to my next point,

- Although some aspects were separately implied within the paper, the researchers did not provide
benchmarks of effectiveness for which foreign military intervention could be measured. Despite
the stated question how effective really is foreign military intervention in state-building? in the
first few pages of the paper (before research questions)

Potentials for further inquiry

Since the researchers focused on evaluating macro mechanisms of international relevance

particularly the role of foreign military intervention within states that are on the verge of
collapse, the same level of analysis may be utilized in probing for the probability of success or
failure of states despite non intervention in evaluating a countrys capacity to maintain peace
within boarders.

Being one of the independent variables, in depth research on economic standing could be
applied to further studies because the researchers were able to associate its relevance but were
not able to further explore the implications of these economic indicators on state-building.