“Many criminologists believe that the source of the state’s pacifying effect isn’t just its brute coercive power but the trust it commands among the populace. After all, no state can post an informant in every pub and farmhouse to monitor breaches of the law, and those that try are totalitarian dictatorships that rule by fear, not civilized societies where people coexist through self-control and empathy. A Leviathan can civilize a society only when the citizens feel that its laws, law enforcement, and other social arrangements are legitimate, so that they don’t fall back on their worst impulses as soon as Leviathan’s back is turned.”

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Originally said in English.

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About Steven Pinker

Canadian cognitive psychologist and linguist, best known for his accessible explorations of human nature and the rational foundations of morality. His work bridges psychology, evolutionary biology, and philosophy, offering insights into language, violence, and progress.

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"Many criminologists believe that the source of the state’s pacifying…" — Steven Pinker | Daily Quotes