-Jordan B. Peterson
For the record, the world as a whole is safer than it has ever been. The rate of violent crime in United States has fallen by more than half in just a decade. The rate of death in war fell by a factor of 100 over a span of 25 years. That being said we are seeing an increase in unprecedented acts of violence, mass shootings and terrorist attacks. As with most problems, the cause is multifaceted. United States intervention around the world has been the chief cause of the terrorist attacks and increase in ranks of terrorist organizations around the world. As for the increase in non-terror related attacks on innocent populations, I believe that a State centered society is inherently violent. The state exists purely out of the power of fear of violence. Why do people drive the speed limit? Fear of violence. Why do people pay their taxes? Fear of violence. Why do people not smoke a certain plant? Fear of violence. Why do c-stores not sell 32 ounce sodas in NY? Fear of violence. Nothing is voluntary if it is mandated by the State. When a civilization centers itself around a violent entity, one cannot be surprised when the society itself becomes more violent.
One of the biggest problems is that people do not recognize the possibility for evil within themselves. When they don't recognize it they cannot deal with it and fight it. For instance an SS officer ordering Jews onto a box car in Nazi Germany. It is easy sitting free, sipping coffee in America, to say that you would never do such a thing, that you would object, that you would rather be counted with the Jews than participate in such an atrocity. But what makes you any different? Sure times have changed, but given you had all the same experiences, been subject to the same propaganda. Can you honestly say that you would have acted any differently? I will answer for you, No. You wouldn't and neither would I. Each and every human has the ability to enact tremendous evil. We inherently know this, that is why we are shy, or suspicious of strangers. It is ingrained into us at an evolutionary level to fear the unknown. It is only when we face the unknown and conquer it, that we become unafraid.
To connect this train of thought with the question at hand. There are many things going on here. One. Our civilization has centered itself around a violent entity, and does not recognize it, and therefore is doing nothing to deal with it. It also refuses to recognize or downplays at best the ability the State has to enact great evil. Two. People are not recognizing their own ability to enact great evil, and not dealing with it, and not dealing with the violence around them. They instead look to the State for comfort, for security, and for safety. Lastly. People have become insulated to the point where they rarely interact with others in any productive way. This holds them in the state of fear of the unknown. They are in a group of one, set in a world of a group of unknowns. Unknowns who they recognize have the ability to enact great evil upon them. This places themselves in a state of great fear and furthers their insulation from any interaction with individuals from the group of the "others."
Now a State centered society was not always the case. It used to be that the society was centered on community and faith. You went to church every weekend, and knew those around you, you knew their problems and prayed for them. You had community gatherings where everyone attended. You knew your neighbors, you had block parties. There was no problem with your son or daughter walking home from school because, you knew every home on the route. You graduated with Dave, he has a daughter in your sons class. Old Miss Renkin used to be your English teacher. Mary sue is in the woman's league at your church. Bob goes to bible study with you on Tuesday night. If one of the community fell on hard times, everyone was there to pick them up. The church was who you went to when you had hardships. Your neighbors were there to help you. Today, the state is your church. You pay your taxes, and the state hands out welfare checks, the state sends FEMA to help flood victims, the state feeds the hungry, the state clothes the sick. All you have to do is pay your taxes. The State insulates you from the real interactions that are necessary for a peaceful society.
If you take out the terrorist attacks, the majority of the violence is a result of mental health. I think today's society is terrible in its handling of mental health. I think this is a large result of its humanities insular nature towards the unknown. If the stigma of mental health were removed,and individuals were able to seek help with out fear of repercussions. If society were more open to strangers, to reaching out a hand and make connections with real consequences with strangers. I think we would see a drastic reduction in the unprecedented acts of violence we are seeing today.
I would say that the nature of the State stands in the way of the most productive means of dealing with the mental health issue. That being the meaningful interaction between individuals. People will remain in fear of the unknown until they face the unknown and conquer it. Just paying your taxes is not enough. The State is incapable of making meaningful interactions as it is not an individual. Sure a person can go to a social worker paid for by taxes. But I would argue that it would not be as beneficial as being a member of a community, a community who cares, as beneficial as being a member of a church, a church who prays openly about the troubles of its members. Connections are key and the State does nothing to increase, only decrease interactions.
