The Delhi building collapse highlights a lack of rule enforcement, not insufficient regulations. The author criticizes governments for adopting "creeping government" – new, often ineffective laws – instead of investing in state capacity and robust enforcement. Examples like price controls and stock limits demonstrate how such interventions frequently worsen problems. The piece advocates for a more capable state: strengthening inspectorates, providing direct financial aid, tackling issues at their source, and imposing sunset clauses on emergency powers, promoting efficacy over mere control.