What is a Pariah State?

A pariah state, also referred to as an international outcast, is a nation in which the rest of the world denies diplomatic or social contact. This is often the result of policies or actions that violate well-accepted, universal standards, including human rights abuses, state-sponsored terrorism, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Due to the nature of these infractions, these states frequently face severe economic sanctions, are excluded from most international organizations, and may not receive formal recognition from other states.