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If we're going to invoke "vigilantism" (as opposed to notions of reasonable and proportionate self-defence) let's acknowledge how U.S. American culture at least
by nonrandomstring 2y ago
If we're going to invoke "vigilantism" (as opposed to notions of
reasonable and proportionate self-defence) let's acknowledge how
U.S. American culture at least in the 80s and 90s is drenched in a
deep love of vigilante justice... The A-Team, Knight Rider, The
Equaliser, even Batman! Who doesn't dream of a secret base inside a
mountain, filled with surveillance gear, an anti-crime computer and a
personal Apache attack helicopter waiting on the pad to rain fire down
on miscreants?
Let's say that's more than just individual morality but a concrete
cultural relation to wealth, power, justice and social contract of the
state.
- lo_zamoyski 2y agoThe trouble with vigilatism is that it involves a usurpation of state authority that one does not possess. State authority can be deputized under certain conditions, of course, and self-defense is an example (I can shoot someone trying to commit murder, for example; or consider citizen's arrest), but it isn't arbitrary and isn't vigilatism. Of course, when the state demonstrates a dereliction of duty and becomes feckless in its ability to punish criminals in proportion to their crimes, this creates outrage and a strong temptation to engage in vigilatism. The state then shares responsibility for the resulting vigilatism.
- nonrandomstring 2y agoI agree, and think there are many facets of degeneration that lead people to disrespect the law and see justice as something they must provision for themselves; Surveillance cameras and drones instead of police in the streets. Algorithms and predictive policing instead of presence - ears to the ground and forward intelligence. Procedural and summary justice in place of juries and deliberation. Police who are uneducated in, and frequently break the law. Delegation to untrusted private power without democratic mandate... All of these things give people a sense they have been abandoned by a derelict state and must meet violence with violence, power with power. That's profitable for an "insecurity industry" that thrives on fear, but devastating to societal wellbeing.