Effectiveness of the police ultimately depends on their legitimacy. – 1st b/c the moral paradox underlying the police use of nonnegotiable coercive force can be resolved only if police actions are qualitatively distinct from other actors’ use of force. – 2nd b/c people tend to obey authority out of respect for its legitimacy more than out of fear of its power. Greater police legitimacy decreases the need for nonnegotiable coercive intervention; it also builds active community support for police efforts. -“Perceptions of legitimacy carry more weight w/ the public than effectiveness of enforcement. ”-Tyler, Tom; 88) – Tyler and Huo (2001): perceived legitimacy of the police and perceived fairness/favorability of outcomes carry equal weight in citizens’ acceptance of officers’ decisions. The amazing transformation of LAPD: 76% of Latinos and 68% of blacks now give LAPD positive grades (LA Times, 2009 poll) Weber- Tragedy of Power –
At some point, force is inevitably necessary to preserve peace and social order. GRAHAM v. CONNOR * The police use of force is a perennial reminder of the fundamental imperfection of the tragedy of power. * When all else fails, people call the cops (Egon Bittner) ; this is b/c the police role is ultimately define by their monopoly on the right to use nonnegotiable coercive force. We rely on the police precisely because of this monopoly; yet at the same time, we are repulsed by its underlying harsh reality. …Leads Us To Mary-Douglas “Purity and Danger” * We value dirty work as necessary but are repelled by those who do it so there is a moral ambiguity of force, which means that force is sometime necessary, but the decision to use it and judging the extent of its use are inherently unclear.
The Essay on Coercive Power Political Leaders Followers
The use of "coercive power," in democratic societies, to protect followers and administer daily activities is good, "appropriate" and can be been seen as a set of disciplinary sanctions, a driving force to maintain order, a stimulus to keep interactions and common life well managed and respected. It, indeed, benefits both leaders and followers, eases common growth in good situations, provides ...
