Anarchist viewpoint on crime/policing

[TomVine92]

We've seen, though, that self-policing can actually be quite dangerous. Look at the recent SWP crisis for example: rapists were protected and the victim was basically told to f off

[cyu]

rapists were protected and the victim was basically told to f off

Well, if there were a whole lot of anarchists running around, I'm pretty sure at least one of the anarchists would be pissed off enough to put the fear of God into them

[BIXX]

Anarchism itself is not just about the distribution of wealth, but the distribution of power as well - and by power, I don't just mean military power, but psychological power. If you want a quick lesson in persuasion, here's a short one right now:

Play to other people's pride. Try to make sure everything you say makes them proud of themselves in some way. Reword things and describe things from different viewpoints, until you've changed what once they may have been ashamed of, into something they're proud of.

For more details, see the chapter headings at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_to_...fluence_People

While I agree to an extent, there will always be some people who aren't as good at that as others. And then mob mentality could still have a strong effect on people.

[cyu]

there will always be some people who aren't as good at that as others

Just like some will be better shots than others

mob mentality could still have a strong effect on people.

It's basically the same problem you have in democracy. If 51% can do as they please, then you still have mob mentality.

What anarchism encourages is distribution and equality of power - and when used with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_action to solve the problems you most care about, well, in a democracy you're actually discouraged from acting on your own, because it has to be put to a vote first - which will never help if you're worried about mob mentality. Direct action in fact encourages the opposite - you take action to solve your problems now.

In the past, we had issues like state's-rights segregationalists vs a federal government who came in and "rescued" people from segregation. Is that proof that decentralization can't work? I would say not at all. For example, what if it was state's-rights abolitionists vs a federal government who came in and "rescued" slave holders?

Anarchists encourage ultimate decentralization - where slaves are encouraged to take power into their own hands, and help them right wrongs by empowering them to do so, rather than allowing them no power, but rather rely on outsiders to "rescue" them. This isn't to say outsiders will not be allowed to help - in fact, I would encourage outsiders to help as well - however, the slaves themselves should never be prevented from taking power into their own hands.

[Craig_J]

I refer you to one of my all time favourite quotes from John Fire Lame Deer, a Native American chief. Learn it well my friend, I always say this quote when someone says that. Generally silences them or actually leaves them with very deep thoughts about the argument they've made.