States are violent institutions. The government of any country, including ours, represents some sort of domestic power structure, and it's usually violent. States are violent to the extent that they're powerful, that's roughly accurate.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The quote argues that state power inherently relies on violence, and the degree of violence correlates with the degree of power.
- In plain terms
- Governments use force to maintain control, and the more powerful they are, the more violent they tend to be.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize that state authority often rests on coercive power rather than pure consent.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you define state violence?
- Is violence necessary for order?
Another view
Not all state actions are violent, and some states prioritize diplomacy over force.
More from Noam Chomsky
...roughly speaking, states are violent to the extent that they have the power to act in the interests of those with domestic power...
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