In Judith Butler's "Precarious Life," the author discusses the complex relationship between law and state power. She argues that law is not always an impartial set of rules; instead, it can be temporarily suspended or manipulated by the state to control and surveil its population. This suggests that the state often operates outside the bounds of legal constraints, utilizing the law as a tool to further its objectives while exerting its authority.

Butler highlights that the notion of national sovereignty plays a crucial role in this dynamic. The state justifies the suspension of law in the name of protecting its territorial integrity and preserving its power. Consequently, the law becomes a selective instrument used by the state to enforce its will rather than a uniform mechanism of justice, raising concerns about the implications for individual rights and the rule of law in society.