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Dale, Gareth
2014.
Karl Polanyi in Vienna.
Historical Materialism,
Vol. 22,
Issue. 1,
p.
34.
Article contents
Decision-Making Amid Public Violence; The Vienna Riots, July 15, 1927
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2009
Extract
Prevention of public violence is a primary task of an ordered state. If rioting occurs, it is usually a serious setback for the government in power, a sign of weakness or even forthcoming collapse, an injury to the citizens' commitment. During a riot, governmental leaders are often taxed to the ultimate because they may lose control of the society in the uncharted waters of the mob; their policy-decisions can sink while awaiting enforcement. The rioters who participate in collective public violence lose their restraint, their individuality that previously caused them to respect authority, and turn to irresponsible acts they would not normally commit. For these reasons established political leaders place a high priority on preventing violence. Should it break out, their automatic inclination is to contain it. Some revolutionaries, on the other hand, see creativity in violence, are even willing to stimulate it, hoping that it will sweep traditional institutions away.
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- Vienna Between the Wars
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- Copyright © Center for Austrian Studies, University of Minnesota 1983
References
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