> I'm no expert, but _attempting_ to prosecute and actually killing is probably a worthwhile distinction. You're being too charitable. Both have the same inten

> I'm no expert, but _attempting_ to prosecute and actually killing is probably a worthwhile distinction. You're being too charitable. Both have the same intent. The more asymmetrically powerful the ruler is, the less lethal the threat needs to be to create a chilling effect. For example, rival gang members (with power parity) must kill each-other because they lack other mechanisms of coercion and must play their only card in the moment. Creating martyrs is always sub-optimal compared to catching and incarcerating "criminals" or forcing compliance by the threat of capture or alienation/ostracism. As a thought experiment, which state has stronger control over its citizens, Russia or Singapore?