Somalia

[Borodog]

Wow: http://www.mises.org/story/2701

Transcript of an absolutely amazing talk about Somalia that summarizes:
[*] How the economic situation in Somalia is not only greatly improved relative to its prior condition under a central governent, but is greatly improved relative to other African nations that still have central goverments[*] explains why democracy does not and cannot work in Africa, and why western-style central governent set up by the colonial powers all quickly devolved in brutal dictatorships, bloodbaths and genocide[*] Explains the ancient stateless Somali systems for the private, stateless production ofblaw and orer, including a ubiquitous legal code, the Xeer, private insurance, private courts, judges, etc. The legal code is entirely property-rights based and oriented towars compensating the victim.[*] How the ongoing strife is created by UN attempts toforce a central government on the Somalis, and how the phenomenon of "warlordism" occurs as groups jockey violently for position to take control of the proposed central government that the UN keeps telling them is just around the corner

This is one of the best articles I've read in a long, long time. The legal study was done by a Dutch lawyer who married into a Somali clan and studied their customs for 12 years. I'm ordering his book today. Also, Stringham's Anarchy and the Law.