The Monopoly on Violence

Way back in the Pleistocene, when I was getting my masters degree in International Relations, I was introduced to the German sociologist Max Weber*, who defined a state as "a human community that (successfully) claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory.”

By that definition, the United States is no longer a "state."

In Der Furor's America, where his angry base is spun up to a wild frenzy over overblown tales of violent anarchy and helpless, outmatched police, armed vigilantes have taken to the streets to "protect property" ... and now, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, a (white) 17-year old self-styled law enforcer has murdered two people and injured others in the name of "keeping the peace." And as if that weren't bad enough, the murderer was filmed marching down the street, openly carrying a loaded semiautomatic rifle and waving to police who ignored him as they drove past on their way to dealing with rioters and looters (stereotypically expected to be black or brown).

Is this what we have become?

When a population, much of it armed to the teeth and spoiling for a fight against the godless, socialist libs, takes its cues from a president who sides with racists and white supremacists and is openly contemptuous of the law unless it serves his purposes, it's a recipe for anarchy. How long do you suppose it will take for black and brown Americans to start arming themselves in self-defense, turning out to "protect property" and the lives of their fellows? We will have replaced the United States of America - once the "shining light on the hill" admired and respected around the world - with an angry mobocracy no better than the most anarchic, warlord-ruled third-world hellhole.

By the way, since many police departments, particularly in deep red states, seem to be willing to allow private militias to "assist" with law enforcement, it's possible that they are unaware that every state in the union prohibits this. You can read a detailed summary of state laws governing private militias here. Such laws, though on the books, are routinely ignored by those who - inspired by the Scofflaw-in-Chief - believe laws don't apply to them.

I would like to think that we will exercise our national gift for self-correction come November, but I fear that train has sailed. Der Furor has done such a spectacular job of pitting Americans against one another, stoking fear and rage against every available scapegoat to distract from his own failures of leadership**, that - for the first time - I actually fear for the future of the nation.

Der Furor flagrantly ignores the law already, knowing that he can do so with impunity because his allies and enablers will let him get away with the most outrageous, illegal, and unconstitutional behavior. Imagine what he will be like if he's reelected, able to claim that "the people" have given him a mandate that justifies whatever he does.

Forget the police. It will be the time of the unleashed vigilante, of the surrender of your government's monopoly on violence as (in theory) governed by the law. And we'll have done it to ourselves.

Have a good day. Be sure you are registered to vote, and be sure to do it. You know that Der Furor's base will.

Sorry for the downer, but I'm angry and worried. More thoughts coming.

Bilbo

* Not really, as he's been dead since 1920, but you know what I mean.

** It speaks volumes that the governor of Wisconsin has asked Der Furor - the sitting president of the United States - not to come to his state as planned, saying, "I am concerned your presence will only hinder our healing. I am concerned your presence will only delay our work to overcome division and move forward together. It is our job as elected officials to lead by example and to be a calming presence for the people we know are hurting, mourning, and trying to cope with trauma. Now is not the time for divisiveness. Now is not the time for elected officials to ignore armed militants and out-of-state instigators who want to contribute to our anguish."