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Government is the monopoly on legitimate violence [In the US defensive violence* is also legitimate by the public, but gov holds monopoly on initiating violence
by notch898a 4y ago
Government is the monopoly on legitimate violence [In the US defensive violence* is also legitimate by the public, but gov holds monopoly on initiating violence]. They are a laughable distance from monopoly on all violence in their jurisdiction.
* As noted below, defensive violence against illegitimate initiators of violence [<- edit]
- rollcat 4y agoHow does that work if you're held at gunpoint by law enforcement? Even if you know you've done nothing wrong, and are e.g. a victim of systemic racism?
- notch898a 4y agoThere are lots of minorities that have chosen to shoot back on the way out when they know they're going to be gunned down. It still holds the government can't possibly own all the violence.
- int_19h 4y agoViolence in self-defense against imminent physical harm is legal in most of the world, although proportionality requirements vary.