What authority do cities have to receive aid and implement broad policy objectives, control borders, reflect the legitimate interests of the citizenry, and protect ungoverned spaces?

States are the building blocks of the Westphalian political order.

Muggah's is an argument to generate a counter  approach to the failed states problematique.

 Because Canada's policy makers haven't a clue on how to confront failed and fragile states they deflect attention by focusing attention elsewhere such as cities.