Violence and war are unequal - the strong (and male) take from the weak the old the young and the nursing. Laws are a compact between the strong and the rest, that with defence from the strong we will get peace and sharing and status. Status is the coinage society bribes the strong to prevent them just taking all they want. At some point society manages to produce through peace and trade more than could be stolen and the deal becomes profitable for both sides.
And different guards guard each other. Balance of power etc
And different guards guard each other. Balance of power etc