Quote:
Originally Posted by The Batlord
The difference is that power structures based on some threat of violence reinforce society, whereas allowing anybody with bigger muscles to pick on the weak undermine society. I mean...duh.
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It has the potential to undermine society it such "pick[ing] on" goes against how that society is set up. All hierarchical societies are based on exploiting the weak, whether those within their own society (see slavery) or those without (see imperialism).
This is why notions that the Romans (or any other ancient civilization, really) had some sort of universal compassion is absurd. Consider that violence in these societies often had an economic role (such as in imperialism & slavery), as well as a cultural component - such as in the coliseum, for example.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier
So you think governments in democracies sanction violence on their own population?
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Of course democracies sanction violence against their own. How would you characterize what happens to prisoners as anything but violent? Or do people cease to be part of the population the moment they are incarcerated?