Is California A Failed State?

Is California a Failed State?

            In my American Government class the other day we were discussing foreign policy. One of the concepts we discuss is ‘failed states.’ A failed state is one the cannot provide basic goods and services to its people. In extreme cases failed states lose control of their territory and lawless groups can operate freely within the failed state’s borders.

            Less extreme is when a state starts failing. The early indicators of a failed state is that it cannot provide basic services to its people. Now we are getting back to California.
            Is California a failed, or failing state? We have been talking about the drought for the past six months. We know farmers are struggling and tens of thousands of acres have been fallowed. We are starting to see more cases of failing water supplies in urban areas. A Madera community made national news this week as their water supply failed. My students from Madera are mad because families are told to stop irrigating their yards, but the city and county landscaping is still getting watered. Stories like this are coming in from all over the state.

            In the modern world, one of the responsibilities of government is to provide a safe and reliable water supply. California does not seem to be able to do that one simple thing. Don’t blame the drought. I have quoted before and I will quote again Dr. Amartya Sen, winner of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Economics, ““droughts may not be avoidable, but their affects can be”. Dr. Sen won his Nobel by proving governments cause famines. Government policy is powerful stuff.

            Back to the question- Is California a failing state? There is more than water in question. Our roads are falling apart. Our school systems are struggling. Our prison system is stressed out. The cost of living stretches many families. What do you think?

            I love California. It is more than home. California is a special place. I have been fortunate enough to have done a little travelling. I have seen no other place in the world with the amazing diversity of natural wonders or opportunities as California. I would like to think California’s best days are still ahead, but not if we keep going down the road that dries up our water. We must demand more from our political leaders than more taxes and less public services. We must find a way to balance our prosperity and cares for the environment. Strangling our economy and piling on taxes is not the way to go.

What do you think?