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Just because American police have become incredibly militarized and rely on violence and the threat of violence to get their way, doesn't mean it has to be that

Just because American police have become incredibly militarized and rely on violence and the threat of violence to get their way, doesn't mean it has to be that way. It's also possible to get people to do things because they respect the authority of the officer. "If this cop says I am being an asshat and should stop, maybe I am being an asshat and should stop." This is what people mean when they talk about soft power.

dependenttypes 7y ago
> It's also possible to get people to do things because they respect the authority of the officer. "If this cop says I am being an asshat and should stop, maybe I am being an asshat and should stop." This is what people mean when they talk about soft power. Blindly following what the authority says is a gateway behaviour to fascism. Regardless, this does not seem like a soft power and it is going to happen in the police of any counrty. If you do not follow what they said you are going to be in trouble after all. And no matter the country they DO rely on the threat of violence, this is the whole point of the police, their words are backed with a legal (or illegal) threat of violence. Compare it to some random citizen telling you not to talk loudly because their child is sleeping. They do not have a state-backed ability to cause violence, and if they did try to attack you, you could go to the authorities.