system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5:Why do failed nation-states exist?

Or rather, why do they continue to exist?
gpt
Right now, as you are reading this, there are no soldiers in your room watching you. You probably haven't seen one all week, and no one has checked up on you. You could be doing anything you want, and unless your neighbors report you, you'll get away with it.

Nation-states exist because the people all agree that the government has authority. Once the people reject the authority of the government though, failure is inevitable, because it's impossible for any government to enforce order without the cooperation of the people. Cooperation can be purchased with fear, but that kind of cooperation is minimal at best.

When there are two or more different groups trying to be government at the same time, it's impossible to honor both. Because of that, the state fails, and remains a failure until all but one faction has packed it in.