States fail when they let their monopolies on violence or taxation slide

Do you know of a state which has let vigilantes commit violence on its behalf and has reneged on disbursal of taxes? I can't think of any, writes Devangshu Datta

In the narrowest terms, a government can be defined as an entity with the capacity to monopolise two broad functions. It must monopolise violence within the territory it controls, thus preventing non-state actors from victimising citizens, or external forces from annexing territory.

It must be able to monopolise fiscal and monetary functions, like taxation and the issue of currency, preventing non-state actors from inflicting extortion. When a government’s ability to protect and maintain these two monopolies breaks down, the compact between citizens and the State also breaks down.

If the government cannot protect its monopoly on violence, it means ordinary,