The phrase "as a functioning state" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a political entity that operates effectively and maintains order and governance.
Example: "The country has made significant progress in establishing itself as a functioning state, ensuring stability and public services for its citizens."
Alternatives: "as an operational state" or "as a viable state".
Jeffrey Lewis at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies wrote in a blog post that it showed North Korea "has concluded that its survival as a functioning state in the international system is entirely a product of its military capabilities".
Such grandstanding, amplified by a paternalistic economic system in which jobs and the spoils of corruption are often divided along ethnic lines, has crippled Bosnia as a functioning state.
Speaking in a TV interview with RTL's Nachtjournal programme two days after his return to Germany last week, Todenhöfer said Isis has worked hard to establish itself as a functioning state.
"This is a kind of virtual reality, because I can't find anyone who considers the Federal Republic as a functioning state," he said, alluding to the fact that Montenegro has largely broken with Serbia politically, although the two remain together in the federation.
As the uncertainties over the country's future as a functioning state continue to mount, Libyans are getting increasingly desperate.
The West will destroy IS as a functioning state whether IS likes it or not.
Pakistan has failed as a state on many fronts - to curb terrorism, to provide shelter and food to its most vulnerable and to protect the rights of minorities, but then in other categories it was as much a functioning state as any other.
Assad is no longer holding on as the chief of a functioning state but as a warlord who is more powerful than others in a splintering Syria.
The end of Pakistan as a viable, functioning state?
In parallel, Bush must demonstrate a more serious commitment to rebuilding a state in Afghanistan -- hopefully as a democracy, but at least as a functioning, coherent state that can maintain order and promote development.
A discredited monarchy under new management may only accelerate Thailand's slow-burn disintegration as a functioning, unified state.
