What happens when succession fails?

What happens when there's no succession?

We've seen three bloody, long civil wars beyond almost anything the 21st century has to show.

• The Warring States era of China (475 – 221 BC)

• The Roman Crisis of the Third Century (235 - 284 AD)

• The War of the Roses (1455 - 1487 AD)

The winners who emerged were Qin Shi Huang, Aurelian, and Henry VII.

In each case, the winners proved more competent and capable than any candidate from the proper line of succession.

All three had the trifecta: military, economic, and administrative competence.

So why do I worry so much about succession?