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Writ of the State

Somalia serves as a notable example of a nation with weak state authority.

(Written by: Abdul Basit Alvi)

The authority of the state is a cornerstone of any well-functioning society. It ensures the enforcement of laws, maintains public order, provides essential services, and protects citizens’ rights. When a state loses or fails to assert its authority, the effects are often deep and far-reaching. A weakened state authority leads to chaos, instability, and widespread suffering, creating an environment ripe for corruption, violence, and economic deterioration. By examining real-world examples, we can better understand the critical importance of state authority in upholding peace, prosperity, and justice.

Somalia serves as a notable example of a nation with weak state authority. Since the collapse of its central government in 1991, Somalia has struggled with warlordism, clan militias, and a lack of effective governance. Although the Somali Federal Government (SFG) has made some progress in recent years, the country remains highly fragmented. The absence of strong state authority has enabled groups like the militant Islamist group al-Shabaab to gain significant power. Al-Shabaab frequently conducts violent attacks, including bombings and kidnappings, targeting civilians, military personnel, and aid workers. Somalia’s weak government has been unable to meet the country’s urgent humanitarian needs. Millions face food insecurity, lack access to clean water, and endure inadequate healthcare, leading to a prolonged crisis of displacement and suffering. Without a functioning government, Somalia’s economy remains informal and heavily reliant on remittances from the Somali diaspora. Poverty and unemployment persist, further destabilizing the country. In Somalia, the lack of effective governance and strong state authority perpetuates a cycle of violence, lawlessness, and poverty, hindering any meaningful path toward peace and prosperity.

Yemen, one of the poorest nations in the Arab world, has also experienced the devastating effects of fractured state authority. Since 2014, Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war, with various factions—such as the Houthi rebels, the internationally recognized Yemeni government, and separatist groups—competing for control. The country’s state authority is severely divided, and large portions of Yemen remain outside the central government’s reach. The war has triggered one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history. Thousands have died, and millions lack access to essential needs such as food, clean water, and medical care. The collapse of state institutions has exacerbated the population’s suffering. Yemen’s economy has disintegrated due to the ongoing conflict, and the absence of a central authority has left little room for economic recovery in the short term. The lack of state control has also hindered the rebuilding of infrastructure and restoration of basic services, further driving the country’s decline. Yemen’s civil war has also destabilized the broader region, drawing in external powers like Saudi Arabia and Iran, who back opposing factions. This has turned the conflict into a proxy war with far-reaching global implications. This has prolonged the conflict and caused ripple effects throughout the Middle East, further contributing to regional instability. Yemen’s situation highlights the severe consequences of fragmented state authority, which not only leads to a humanitarian crisis but also destabilizes entire regions. Similarly, Venezuela, once one of the wealthiest nations in Latin America, has been enduring a prolonged crisis due to the erosion of state authority under President Nicolás Maduro’s leadership. While the country has faced authoritarian rule for decades, the collapse of state institutions and the breakdown of public services under Maduro have created a perilous environment. Venezuela’s economy has been severely impacted by a combination of mismanagement, corruption, and sanctions. Inflation has skyrocketed to hyperinflationary levels, rendering the national currency almost worthless. The collapse of state institutions managing the nation’s vast oil wealth has resulted in widespread poverty, unemployment, and food insecurity. Due to the lack of essential services, millions of Venezuelans have fled the country in search of better opportunities, creating one of the largest migration crises in Latin American history. This has placed immense pressure on neighboring countries like Colombia and Brazil, which have been forced to accommodate large numbers of refugees. The erosion of the rule of law in Venezuela has sparked deep political polarization, widespread protests, and violent government crackdowns. The government’s failure to uphold democratic processes, including the imprisonment of political opponents and media censorship, has fostered a climate of fear and instability. The Venezuelan crisis highlights how the breakdown of state authority, fueled by corruption and mismanagement, can result in widespread economic and political collapse.

Protests have long been an essential aspect of democratic societies, providing a platform for citizens to voice discontent with government policies, social inequalities, or injustices. From the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. to anti-colonial movements globally, protests have driven significant social and political transformations. However, when protests turn violent or when violence becomes a norm for demanding change, the consequences can be profound and detrimental to both society and the cause itself. Violent protests are not a productive way to demand change. While it’s important for citizens to express grievances and seek justice, violence only escalates tensions and creates more problems than it resolves.

One immediate consequence of violent protests is the way they undermine the legitimacy of the cause being promoted. As protests spiral into chaos, public attention often shifts from the original issue to the violence and destruction. This shift in focus weakens the moral and ethical standing of the protesters. For example, if a protest is aimed at addressing police brutality or advocating for civil rights, the violence distracts from these crucial issues and shifts the narrative toward the actions of a few individuals engaging in destructive behavior. As a result, public support for the cause can quickly diminish, with people associating the protest more with disorder than the demand for justice. The message becomes blurred, and those who might have supported the cause peacefully may distance themselves due to the violence.

Violent protests often create deep divisions within society. What could have been a moment of unity around a shared cause may quickly evolve into a polarized issue. Some people may support the cause but reject the violent methods used, while others might oppose the cause altogether due to the disruption and fear violence causes. This division can fuel broader societal instability. When protests are associated with violence, those who may have been sympathetic become alienated, fearing for their safety or daily lives. The violence can push people to view the protesters as adversaries, strengthening opposition and making productive dialogue even more challenging.

Violence breeds further violence. Once protests become violent, the likelihood of escalation increases, especially if the government or law enforcement responds with force. Authorities may resort to excessive measures to control the crowds, triggering a cycle of retaliation and aggression. This escalation can lead to peaceful protesters becoming caught in the turmoil, and innocent bystanders may fall victim to the violence. The result is often a vicious cycle where the original demands for justice or change are overshadowed by the destruction, injury, or loss of life caused by the protests. Instead of addressing the core issues, such protests may provoke stronger government opposition, leading to stricter policies, crackdowns, or even authoritarian measures that suppress the very causes the protesters aimed to highlight.

In the context of Pakistan, the culture of demanding change through mobs and repeated protests is detrimental to the country. The mindset of “might is right” and pressuring the government and institutions through mob action is neither constructive nor commendable. While the government has its responsibilities, people, political parties, and leaders also have duties and must show maturity. The examples of Yemen, Somalia, Haiti, and the recent case of Syria clearly illustrate the consequences of anarchy and chaos. The general public is suffering due to these ongoing protests, and the country is facing economic hardship. The state must enforce its authority, and citizens need to recognize the forces that are creating chaos, anarchy, and division for personal gain, rather than for the common good.

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