The development of society is closely related to state formation, as the state provides an outline of the class system and distribution of power in the population. One of the primary reasons the state is essential for continuous development and progress is that the state indicates stability. Moreover, it provides safety for ordinary citizens and signals that violation of public order will be punished. Many works in modern pop culture feature the elements of stateless societies as post-apocalyptic fiction genre experiences rise in interest. For example, scenarios can focus on the aftermath of deadly virus spread, such as zombie apocalypse in The Walking Dead or governmental promotion of policy that endangers vulnerable populations, as in the Purge franchise. In most scenarios, humanity is forced to go through a period of state formation.
In a hypothetical scenario where suddenly all forms of government in the United States would disappear, it is more likely that the situation will result in a violent outbreak at first. According to Gledhill, stateless societies often can be violent due to impunity and competition for power. The outbreak will disrupt the work of all forms of businesses, and through the series of unpunished robberies, the society will soon lose its financial structure and return to natural forms of exchange.
Next, in my opinion, in search of protection, people will unite in groups as it is easier for a group to gather resources. As groups are the smallest form of organization that implements power structures, the new society units will engage in rivalry with other groups. The group that wins through eliminating opponents or making alliances will determine the further development of society based on its core values. Therefore, in a possible scenario where all forms of government suddenly disappeared in the United States, it is most likely that a new state with different core values will form.