Monday, March 25, 2013

A failed state

The following is the Wikipedia definition of "failed state":

A failed state is a state perceived as having failed at some of the basic conditions and responsibilities of a sovereign government. There is no general consensus on the definition of a failed state. The definition of a failed state according to the Fund for Peace is often used to characterize a failed state:
  • loss of control of its territory, or of the monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force therein
  • erosion of legitimate authority to make collective decisions
  • an inability to provide public services
  • an inability to interact with other states as a full member of the international community

Common characteristics of a failing state include a central government so weak or ineffective that it has little practical control over much of its territory; non-provision of public services; widespread corruption and criminality; refugees and involuntary movement of populations; and sharp economic decline.

This is a near perfect description of what the United States of America is becoming. Woe is us.

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