> Decentralizing the power to inflict massive violence leads to a ton of death Does it? If history is any indicator (and I believe it is), the opposite seems

> Decentralizing the power to inflict massive violence leads to a ton of death Does it? If history is any indicator (and I believe it is), the opposite seems to hold true: the centralization - i.e. monopolization - of violence enables violence without impunity, and as that monopolization approaches its logical conclusion, so does that monopolized violence increase in magnitude and breadth. In contrast, decentralized violence keeps everyone accountable; any aggressor has to be prepared for the very real possibility that one's victim can and will retaliate with equal force. As Heinlein said: "an armed society is a polite one".