Justifications, Tactics, and Political Dynamics in Modern Society

Justifications, Tactics, and Political Dynamics in Modern Society Presented by: Dr. Póczik Date: 10 September 2023 Typical Justification - Daner Værn - vigilantism manifest, 2014 • "This a civil rights and vigilante group has been established in the recognition that the Danish state is no longer living up to its first and primary duty: to protect its citizens. According to "the social contract" we renounce our right to weapons and self-defense, in exchange of the state protecting us. The state has broken that contract. [...] We are free people; it is any free people's right to defend ourselves. The state has the necessary means to do so. If the state does not defend us, we will defend ourselves, with all necessary means If the state withdraws, we step forward; if the state steps forward, we will withdraw." Manifestations - Modus Operandi In Vigilantism - Street patrols: intimidation of alleged criminals - Border patrols: against refugees or undocumented migrants crossing national borders - Paramilitary militia movements: military-like organization and uniforms, - Violence against political opponents - Vigilante terrorism/pogroms/lynchings: subtype of terrorism Political And Administrative Environment (Reactions) - Vigilantism Can Emerge In Stabile Or Unstable Regimes • Reactions by  Legal political parties (+/-) can be divided  Civile society (+/-)  Authorities (+/-)  Police staff (+/-) can be divided in opinion • Toleration/ encouraging/cooperation / opposition/prohibition?  In some cases policemen are acting in their free-time for vigilante purposes. - Vigilantism And The Radical Right • Operate within the framework of democracy • Right-wing populist parties - historical tradition • Ideological core: intolerant nationalism, nativism, "law and order" policy • Refuse values of a democratic constitutional state • Prefer authoritarian governmental order, • Usually on a separate territory, national state or in a pan-national entity • Accept violence • Political parties create party militias/vigilant activity Why Can Vigilantism Emerge And Flourish? - Why can vigilantism emerge and flourish? • Widespread perception of crisis • Threat to our society and lifestyle • Magnified by extensive media coverage • Rhetoric by far-right political groups, capitalize the fear • Threatened fundamental values - moral panic (social and moral order) • Fear of crime, violence and rape (perceived threat of sexual assaults against "our women") • Threat of crime is identified with specific groups (objects of hatred) • Shocking events - moral panic (New Year 's Eve 2015/2016 in Cologne) • Perception that police unable or unwilling to protect the citizens • When police and authorities turn a blind eye to vigilante violence, or tacitly accept or support vigilantism New Dimensions Of Current Vigilantism - Adapt vigilante strategies to contemporary opportunities - Transformative (humanitarian NGO, sport association etc.) - Recent vigilante activists declare that they will not use violence and want to act within the legal framework - Want to cooperate with governments - They merely demonstrate an intimidating capacity for violence - Present themselves as an alternative to the established political and security forces - International cooperation between vigilante groups (Czech- Bulgarian cooperation). - Vigilante organizations establish subsidiaries in several countries (Soldiers of Odin) - Same states support foreign vigilant groups, goal: destabilize another state (Russia) Civil Guard in Hungary Regulated by the Law No. CLXV / 2011 - Not armed public benefit entity with limited rights • The law declares, that creating and maintaining public safety and public order is a fundamental right and duty of the state. The Civil Guard offers the opportunity to Citizens who want to participate in the maintenance of public safety. • Organization: National Civil Guard Association, regional civil guard association, local civil guard association, • The civic guard association needs a cooperation agreement with the local police and local governments. - Main task & obligatory cooperations • Main task: assistance in crime prevention and police tasks, • Mandatory cooperations  Disaster prevention agencies,  Law enforcement agencies, local firefighting departments /associations,  State and local government agencies,  Tax office,  Transport authority,  Nature protection bodies,  Professional hunter org.  Forest patrols,  Traffic and transportations companies,