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The police do prevent "mob rule" today. They use violence to keep a minority of wealthy people atop a social hierarchy. When the "mob" below acts up, they viole

The police do prevent "mob rule" today. They use violence to keep a minority of wealthy people atop a social hierarchy. When the "mob" below acts up, they violently quash them. Like, think of any mass social protest movement. Who is the primary "boots-on-the-ground" opposition? It is always the police. It will always be the police. That's what they're there for.

postalrat 3y ago
Do you think that it's actually possible to avoid having a group a people that feel they've been cheated somehow?
- jakelazaroff 3y ago
  No, but I don’t really see what that has to do with anything.
mulmen 3y ago
I’m describing an ideal future state. You’re describing the suboptimal current state. This is why I emphasized “should”. In my city the police deliberately avoid enforcing basic traffic laws and petty crime in a bid to get more funding. As that continues more and more of my neighbors arm themselves. At some point the scales tip and the people take matters into their own hands. Police can abuse their power in the short term but it can’t continue forever.
- jakelazaroff 3y ago
  I actually suspect you’re describing what I’d consider a suboptimal future state, but it’s hard to tell because most of these words are pretty vague. Like, what exactly is “mob rule”? Why am I supposed to fear it? Why is it worse than today’s system of rule by a powerful unaccountable minority? Why is it per se good for the police to enforce laws and fight crime? Those are both social constructs that can target anyone we want them to. 60 years ago, they would have prevented me from marrying my wife; 90 years ago, they would have prevented me from fleeing genocide. What happens in your ideal future state if the rich and powerful refuse to change unjust laws? If people rise up against oppression, what happens?

postalrat 3y ago

Do you think that it's actually possible to avoid having a group a people that feel they've been cheated somehow?

jakelazaroff 3y ago
No, but I don’t really see what that has to do with anything.

mulmen 3y ago

I’m describing an ideal future state. You’re describing the suboptimal current state. This is why I emphasized “should”. In my city the police deliberately avoid enforcing basic traffic laws and petty crime in a bid to get more funding. As that continues more and more of my neighbors arm themselves. At some point the scales tip and the people take matters into their own hands. Police can abuse their power in the short term but it can’t continue forever.

jakelazaroff 3y ago
I actually suspect you’re describing what I’d consider a suboptimal future state, but it’s hard to tell because most of these words are pretty vague. Like, what exactly is “mob rule”? Why am I supposed to fear it? Why is it worse than today’s system of rule by a powerful unaccountable minority? Why is it per se good for the police to enforce laws and fight crime? Those are both social constructs that can target anyone we want them to. 60 years ago, they would have prevented me from marrying my wife; 90 years ago, they would have prevented me from fleeing genocide. What happens in your ideal future state if the rich and powerful refuse to change unjust laws? If people rise up against oppression, what happens?