The Cost of Anarchy

I've long been facinated with how the study of African history and growing national-ism (as opposed to tribal-ism) has been a study of disruption and anarchy. And I'm keen to understand how community values and morals impact the effectiveness of national governments.

As an intro, here is a thought provoking viewpoint from a blogger who brought the issue to light for me:
Environmental High Crimes and also
The Politics of Islam - Rescue for Somalia?

Just now I've come across an current article from the International Herald Tribune, with a headline of As Chinese investments in Africa drop, so does hope.

As global commodity prices have plummeted and several of China's African partners have stumbled deeper into chaos, China has backed away from some of its riskiest and most aggressive plans, looking for the same guarantees that Western companies have long sought for their investments: economic and political stability.

"The political situation is not very stable," Huo Zhengde, the Chinese ambassador here, said in an interview, explaining the country's hesitation to invest billions in Guinea, where a junta seized power after the death of the longtime president in December. "The international markets are not favorable."

What intrigues me is how expensive anarchy is. When a government in whatever form loses sight of its responsibility to provide for the needs of those governed, the rule of law eventually will cease to hold sway. Without the rule of law, even money and profit lose meaning.

In Guinea, China has backed away from what Guinean officials portrayed as a done deal to build a much-needed $1 billion hydroelectric dam.

"The dam is not a gift; it is an investment," said Mr. Huo, the Chinese ambassador. "That is what win-win means."

My overriding question in African troubles is always: once dead, how can the rule of law be ressurected?