Political order does not begin in virtue. It begins in plurality. Human beings transact, and in transacting they generate expectations. Expectations fail. From failure arises dispute. The origin may be accident, negligence, deception, or violence; the structural condition is the same. Conflict accompanies association. From this condition a familiar sequence may be drawn. Humans conflict. Conflict invites settlement. Settlement, when agreement fails, requires adjudication. Adjudication require...
