that is one way of looking at it. Another way would be to say that effective government ensures that the rule of law is maintained, that contracts are enforced

that is one way of looking at it. Another way would be to say that effective government ensures that the rule of law is maintained, that contracts are enforced, that the environment is protected, that trade is conducted efficiently etc .. Granted, none of the above are absolute, some governments will do better than others and some will abuse their power. What is the alternative? Somalia in the late nineties? All government functions handled by corporations? something else?