Guiding Questions

• Why does the state claim a monopoly on violence?

• When is the use of force justified?

• Can violence ever be an instrument of justice?

The State’s Claim: Monopoly on Violence

Political philosopher Max Weber famously defined the state as the entity with the monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force within a territory.

This means:

• Only the state can legally use violence to enforce laws

• Police, military, and courts wield this power

• Private individuals or groups who use force without state approval are considered criminals

But this monopoly is neither absolute nor uncontested.

When Is Force Justified?

Force can be:

• Protective — to defend citizens and maintain order

• Punitive — to punish wrongdoing through the legal system

• Preventive — to stop threats before they occur

However, misuse of force leads to abuse, oppression, or tyranny.

The Thin Line Between Justice and Violence

History is full of examples where the state:

• Used force to suppress dissent

• Committed violence against marginalized groups

• Exercised military power for conquest or control

This raises the question:

Does violence corrupt justice — or can it be its guardian?

Philosophical Perspectives

Thomas Hobbes

Argued that without a strong sovereign power enforcing laws through force, life would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”

John Locke

Believed the state’s use of force must be limited and accountable to protect natural rights.

Hannah Arendt

Distinguished between power and violence, warning that violence destroys power when it becomes the only tool.

Two Perspectives

Legitimate Force

Force is necessary to uphold laws, protect citizens, and ensure justice.

State Violence as Oppression

Force can be a tool for repression, silencing, and maintaining unjust hierarchies.

A Thought Experiment

Imagine a peaceful protest against government corruption. Police respond with violence and mass arrests.

Ask yourself:

• Who holds legitimate authority here?

• Is the state’s use of force just — or a violation of justice?

Toward Just Use of Force

• Clear legal frameworks limiting use of force

• Independent oversight and accountability for law enforcement

• Training focused on de-escalation and human rights

• Protection of peaceful assembly and dissent

• Transparency in policing and military actions

Reflect and Discuss

• What makes the state’s use of force legitimate?

• Can justice be maintained without force?

• When does resisting state violence become justified?

Suggested Readings

• Max Weber – Politics as a Vocation

• Hannah Arendt – On Violence

• Michel Foucault – Discipline and Punish

• Gene Sharp – From Dictatorship to Democracy

• Amnesty International – Reports on police violence and accountability