In ethics which matters most as a principle/value: social control &maintaining of order or Compion &caring?

This Q suggested itself to me bec of the bad behavior of the Burmese Junta and the way they have responded to the tragedy of a cyclone that has killed over 130,000 human beings in their country. I could also cite the situation in Tibet or the situations in Africa bring this to mind. Did I forget to mention the situations in Iraq,Israel,Gaza, and Lebanon that also beg asking this Q?