Quote:
Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse
However, I do think that without vigilantism it's unlikely there would have been much movement on the issue any time soon though, and those involved in the vigilantly actions were likely well aware of that.
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I agree. There are different ways to think about that situation though:
1) Maybe the cause is not a good one if people aren't taking it up. Maybe they disagree, maybe they don't care. Therefore it does not make sense as a democratic goal. Democracy involves compromise; sometimes you don't get your way.
2) Maybe the cause is good and people
could get onboard but activists have not done enough work trying to convince voters and politicians.
3) Maybe the whole system is rotten and unresponsive. The cause is good but the only way to accomplish it is to go outside the system.
Municipal politics in Halifax are probably some of the most democratic and responsive around. It takes comparatively few votes to determine whether or not a councillor gets elected, they talk to their constituents, it's easy to vote or run, and there is tons of public consultation during the course of municipal decision making.
(3) and the "break a few eggs" mindset meanwhile was probably the biggest cause of human suffering in the 20th century. Not saying that the Cornwallis vandalism rises to that level but there's a long track record of people using the idea that they are fighting for good as justification for doing destructive things. And unfortunately it can be very hard for people to accept (1) or (2) when they are committed to a goal, so (3) can seem like an attractive path.