The fragile states agenda has recently converged with the so-called culture of measuring for results, creating standards often seen by critics as donor driven. The newly established Sustainable Development Goals now invite a data revolution that can see yet more intense practices of quantification. Nevertheless, this article argues such practices can be widening windows of opportunity for change. It looks at the g7+ group of self-labeled fragile states and its tools for self-measurement. These tools closely resemble mainstream quantification, but also bring key contributions. In fact, direct opposition on the part of fragile states is perhaps as possible as it once was for the so-called Third World; on the other hand, the article suggests subtle power can perhaps be countered by subtle change.

中文翻译：

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发展政治中的象征力量：“脆弱国家”能否与数字抗争？

脆弱国家议程最近与所谓的衡量结果的文化融合在一起，创造了通常被批评者视为捐助者驱动的标准。新建立的可持续发展目标现在引发了一场数据革命，可以看到更激烈的量化实践。尽管如此，本文认为这种做法可以扩大变革的机会之窗。它着眼于自标记脆弱国家的 g7+ 组及其自我测量工具。这些工具与主流量化非常相似，但也带来了关键贡献。事实上，脆弱国家方面的直接反对也许就像曾经对所谓的第三世界一样；另一方面，文章暗示微妙的力量也许可以被微妙的变化所抵消。