The whole concept of "violence" is flawed from the get-go…
““The whole concept of "violence" is flawed from the get-go, for it makes no distinction between legitimate and illegitimate force. The use of the word in this generic sense implies that the "violence" of the criminal is no different from the "violence" of the policeman who subdues him. Originally a Marxist idea, this worked its way into the mainstream beginning about 50 or 60 years ago, when people began to think it very clever and sophisticated to act as if there were no difference between the two things, or that the difference was only a matter of how "society" had distributed power between them. Since then, the idea of "violence" as generic and not in its original sense -- related to "violate" -- of criminal and illegitimate violence has steadily gained ground until it is now a commonplace of moral debate, in America as it is everywhere else in the Western world. ””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Critiques the generic use of “violence,” blurring lines between lawful and criminal force, rooted in Marxist thought.
In simple terms: The term “violence” is overused, ignoring legitimate force.
Key Takeaway
Distinguish lawful authority from criminal aggression.
Themes
violence
semantics
political theory
Mood
philosophical
political
Type
Crime:1
Years ago:0
Concept Violence:1
Illegitimate Violence:1
Implies Violence:1
Violence Generic:1
Violence Flawed:1
When to use this quote
- debate
- education
- policy analysis
- null
Key Concepts
ethics
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- critical
- thoughtful
A Different Perspective
What are the implications of redefining violence?;How does power shape the term “violence”?