State-Sanctioned Violence

A State-Sanctioned Violence is a state violence enforced or condoned by a government body to uphold certain laws, norms, or policies.

• Context:
  • It can (typically) involve Law Enforcement Agencies and Government Officials using coercive measures.
  • It can (often) target Minority Groups or Disadvantaged Communities, aiming to enforce or maintain discriminatory practices.
  • It can range from physical violence to more subtle forms of coercion, such as legal pressures or threats.
  • It can (often) be justified by the government under the pretense of maintaining social order or public safety.
  • It can lead to long-term Social Disparities and contribute to systemic Inequality.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • the enforcement of segregation laws in the United States during the 20th century, as described by Richard Rothstein in "The Color of Law," which showcases the role of local police in maintaining racial boundaries through violence or threats thereof.
  • the use of police force to disperse protests that challenge governmental policies, illustrating how state-sanctioned violence is employed to suppress dissent.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Community-Based Policing initiatives, which aim to mitigate violence by fostering cooperation and trust between police and communities.
  • State-Sanctioned Surveillance.
• See: Structural Violence, Police Brutality, Racial Segregation, State Violence, Colonialism , Capitalism .

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References

2017

• (Rothstein, 2017) ⇒ Richard Rothstein. (2017). “The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America.” Liveright Publishing Corporation.
  • NOTES: Discusses how state-sanctioned violence underscores the role of law enforcement and local authorities in upholding segregation laws and norms through the use of violence or the threat thereof, often directed at minorities attempting to cross racial boundaries."

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