NCJ Number
58262
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 11 Issue: 2 Dated: (JUNE 1978) Pages: 95-105
Date Published
1978
Length
11 pages
Annotation
POLITICALLY MOTIVATED DEMONSTRATION AND DIRECT ACTION HAS BECOME A PREVALENT FORM OF PROTEST AND DISSENT IN DEMOCRACIES WHICH POSES COMPLEX PROBLEMS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
Abstract
THE DEMONSTRATION IS INCREASINGLY A TARGET FOR POLITICAL EXTREMISTS WHO MANIPULATE DEMONSTRATIONS FOR OBJECTIVES SUCH AS CREATION OF A CRISIS IN ORDER TO MOBILIZE PUBLIC SUPPORT; ENCOURAGEMENT OF A DILEMMA STYLE OF POLITICAL DECISION MAKING, PROMOTION OF SUBVERSIVE PROGRAMS OF PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY; AND POLARIZATION OF PUBLIC OPINION CONCERNING SELECTED CONTROVERSIAL POLITICAL ISSUES. EXTREMIST ORGANIZATIONS USE THE SUBVERSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE TO EXPLOIT THE DEMONSTRATION TO THEIR OWN ENDS. THIS CONSISTS OF THE SELECTION OF THE MEETING PLACE, PROVISION OF THE COORDINATION AND PROMOTION PUBLICITY; PROVISION OF THE COMMUNICATION STRUCTURE; AND SELECTION OF THE CONFLICT ISSUE. THE MOST USUAL TYPE OF POLITICAL ACTION USED IN A DEMONSTRATION IS DIRECT ACTION. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FORM OF DIRECT ACTION IS THE POLITICALLY MOTIVATED DEMONSTRATION WHICH IS AN ORGANIZED DISPLAY OF RADICAL PROTEST AND DISSENT CONCERNING THE PROMOTION OF RADICAL, EXTREMIST, AND REVOLUTIONARY ISSUES. THE DEMONSTRATION PROCESS RESULTS IN THE CONGREGATING OF INDIVIDUALS AND CREATES A 'MANIPULABLE MASS' WHICH CAN BE USED BY COVERT CONTROLERS WHO PROVIDE A FRAME OF IDEOLOGICAL REFERENCE AND POLITICAL ACTION AS THEY DIRECT THE MOVEMENT OF THE CROWD. THE POLITICAL EXTREMISTS THEN USE THE SUBVERSIVE POTENTIAL OF THE DEMONSTRATION TO UNDERMINE SOCIETY. THIS SUBVERSION HAS FOUR STAGES: (1) NON-VIOLENT PRESUBVERSIVE DISSENT; (2) FIRST LEVEL SUBVERSION: DIRECT ACTION; (3) SECOND LEVEL: CONFRONTATION AND PROVOCATION; AND (4) THIRD LEVEL SUBVERSION: INTERNAL WAR WHICH IS UNRESTRAINED ACTS OF POLITICALLY MOTIVATED VIOLENCE. GOVERNMENT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES FACED WITH THE THREAT OF SYSTEMATIC SUBVERSIVE ESCALATION OF POLITICAL CONFLICTS HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MAINTAINING BOTH PUBLIC ORDER AND POLITICAL FREEDOM. THE FUNCTION OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IS THE PRACTICE OF CONSTRAINT IN RESPONSE TO PLANNED PROVOCATION. THE USE OF COUNTERVIOLENCE SHOULD BE USED ONLY IN TIMES OF EXTREME PROVOCATION AND CRISIS. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (STB)