We perceive the “state,” as living—albeit artificial—organism which intakes taxation (nutrients) and legitimacy (oxygen) to sustain and thrive. Like an organism, the state comprises multiple institutions and quasi-institutions with each tasked to perform specialized functions. For example, border protection agencies—resembling skin—prevent harmful agents from entering the state. The intelligence directorate, the armed forces, and the police act as immune systems which defend states against internal and external threats. The legislatures sanction funds (just as hearts pump blood), investigate/impeach rogue officials (just as kidneys remove waste) and make laws—call them pharmaceutical enterprises—that manufacture medicines. The courts interpret laws—much the same way labs test validity/purity of drugs—while the executives transport and administer laws (medicines) to whomever and wherever needed.
Conflict resembles disease for it similarly dysfunctions state institutions. In popular parlance, dysfunction of at least one institution may appropriately be called as authoritarianism. Keep it in mind, that authoritarianism, like plague or COVID-19, can be endemic, epidemic or pandemic. In today’s world, it is all pandemic.
At best, war is a symptom which stems out of conflict (dysfunctional state institutions). Other symptoms may include corruption, brain-drain, poverty, terrorism, war, you name it.
Law equals medicine. Just as medicine is of four types, so is law:
