# Does the state have a monopoly on violence?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-state-have-a-monopoly-on-violence/1024175>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [October 21, 2025, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-state-have-a-monopoly-on-violence/1024175 "2025-10-21T21:11:23Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 4

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**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2025, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-state-have-a-monopoly-on-violence/1024175/4 "2025-10-21T21:48:54Z")

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> [@Red button or blue button dilemma](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-button-or-blue-button-dilemma/1024041/294):
>
> Have you never heard the term “state [monopoly on violence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopoly_on_violence)”? The [state](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_(polity)) (in the form of law enforcement officers) is the only entity permitted to employ violence to keep the peace.

I think that is using the term “violence” to strongly. The state keeps the peace through laws and courts and possibly the _threat_ of violence.

When I think of Monopoly of Violence, I think of the Third Reich, Secret Police (The Gestapo), Nazis and Jackboots.

American government is a bit more benign.

And yes, I see the definition you’ve linked to but I still think it’s too strongly stated.

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