[3pt14159]

The domain of solutions to the problem of rape and extortion by vehicle operators for hire expands beyond the purview of governments. Do not confuse first world economies (and the regulations that people feel necessary to enact) with solution sets. Just as militaries in third world counties are unorganized and corrupt, so can their private taxi operators. Yet since the distinction between operators of taxis is one of regulated vs nonregulated one tends to view this fact as the defining difference, which may not be the case.

[freshhawk]

That is a very good point. Social norms are much more important here than the regulatory punishments.

As to the I would argue, however, that it is exactly the enshrining of human rights into law and the regulation of necessary but historically predatory industries that is the distinction you are drawing between civilized and uncivilized societies.

Those social norms do not just appear in a vacuum.