I've heard some lamenting the complete breakdown of democracy and civilized behaviour as horror stories have emerged from New Orleans.

However, remember that in order to have anything resembling "civilization." you need civilians.  There were none, or at least a disproportionally low number of average citizens who simply will not put up with crap from criminals.

After the hundreds of thousands of people who were willing and able to evacuate had left, all that remained were thugs and the elderly and infirm who were easy prey.

Not to try and in any way defend the behavior of the rapists and murderers whose diabolical behavior is beyond any comprehension, let alone the armed thugs and the looters who took such horrible advantage of a terrible situation -- rapes and murders, armed robberies and assaults happen every single day in every single American community.

Take away the vast majority of ordinary good citizens, then cripple the usually effective deterrent of an organized law enforcement community who are otherwise engaged in rescue or saving their own families, and the tragic consequences witenessed are certain to occur.

There was no "breakdown" of civilization.  There was a complete absence of civilization.

"Freedom's untidy, and free people are free to make mistakes and commit crimes and do bad things," Rumsfeld said . . . Looting, he added, was not uncommon for countries that experience significant social upheaval. " Stuff happens ,"
-- Rumsfeld