There's a case to be made that a naked display of force - at least in a democracy - is less authoritarian than quietly destroying someone's financial life. Spra

There's a case to be made that a naked display of force - at least in a democracy - is less authoritarian than quietly destroying someone's financial life. Spraying pepper spray and knocking heads creates some very unsavoury images that the government has to contend with during the next election and stokes outrage. Having a bunch of people's bank accounts frozen doesn't trigger the same visceral reaction.