When states collapse, human and global security are threatened. Order and stability must somehow be restored. This book provides a unique account of the pursuit of security at the edge of the global order. It sheds light on reform of state police and armed forces, and analyses the alternative security structures that emerge in the absence of the state. In contrast to other volumes on state failure, this book remains open-minded as to which 'model' for security is better. It thus challenges the current state-building model and the idea of the central state as the only legitimate provider of security.