Governments claim to protect citizens. They claim to protect them from criminals at home and enemies abroad. A government's capacity to protect is rooted in that government's capacity to do violence — specifically, its capacity to do more violence than can criminals and/or enemies. Governments lay claim to skill, sagacity, and support, but they also claim strength and a monopoly on the legitimate use of force. Citizens may enjoy security but they also provide for security through the payment of taxes and men especially pay for it through personal service and sometimes sacrifice.

State violence is often approved by citizens. Indeed, when the state exercises or threatens violence it is often seen not as violence but as “defense” or as “law enforcement.”