ordered anarchy

is a politico-legal situation whereby regulation is strong but because wealth and power are diffuse enough through the whole system, although there is a kind of free-for-all, it is one which is regulated by the society and therefor does not produce great disparities.

The social life of the Nuer is strongly regulated. Every man knows what is due to him. A tally of compensation for insults and injuries is known, any transaction in rights is affirmed by a corresponding transfer of life-stock. If a debtor fails to pay, his creditor can walk into a strange camp, unhitch a beast of corresponding value, and safely walk away without friends of the debtor lifting a finger to harm or stop him. Regulation is there, but power is diffused through the whole system. Each man has to defend his own rights. Many other tribes are organized on principles that seem to be something of this self-help kind, but when there is really a free-for-all, the strongest wins, and contests of individual strength are daily events. The elementary principle of self-help usually produces great disparities of wealth and power. But here, with the Nuer, the strongest does not win. There is little accumulation of wealth. The cattle, goats, and sheep are evenly distributed among households. There is no accumulation of power. The phrase ordered anarchy seems to describe the situation. There is no social contract, no agreement to limit individual liberties so as to allow power to accumulate with one or two people for the sake of the good order.

ordered anarchy, n.Definitions

ordered anarchy