Asia's No-Law Zones Plunge Into Anarchy

Recent events in South Asia (see click here for the news headline story) portend the destabilization and failure of rule of law in the region.

These events are a reminder that the rule of law functions not only functions to check oppressive regimes and tyranny, some of whom may even use law as an instrument to maintain power, but it counters the forces leading to anarchy. Essentially there are three basic states of affairs: rule of will, rule of the mob, and rule of law. See the illustration below.

While many institutions and blogs are dedicated to rule of law in the face of authoritarian regimes, this blog emphasizes the rule of law's relationship to stability. The problem is often the failure of the state, and how rule of law can be re-reestablished.

Increasingly, failed states and states in danger of failure must be the focus for government agencies and the military. It's not China, but western Pakistan that is the threat.