What are the consequences of late state formation?

What will be an ideal response?

The tendency for newer states to be weaker has important political, social, and economic consequences. In weaker states, the rulers, the institutions of government, and even the form of government, whether democratic or not, lack both authority and legitimacy. Irrespective of who is in charge, citizens are less likely to obey the laws, pay their taxes, or contribute to the resolution of the society's numerous collective action problems. In some new states, the central government is so weak that it must compete with other groups for monopoly of violence—as in contemporary Somalia, for example. State weakness can, thus, result in a proliferation of armed groups outside the control of state security forces, corruption, civil conflict, and trafficking in drugs, weapons, and even humans. State weakness often becomes a vicious circle, with weakness breeding more weakness. An inability to control crime and corruption means tax evasion is high, economic investment is low, and government provision of services minimal. In such a situation, even public-spirited political leaders have few options. In the contemporary world, states that were born weak face numerous problems.