Political violence by non-state actors.

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Is it ever justified? And if so, in what circumstances?? Presumably supporters of second amendment rights in the USA are in favour of it in some circumstances judging by their arguments for the right to bear arms. Anyway i think there is an interesting debate to be had here.

Examples of violent non state actors:

On the Left: Italy's Red Brigades, The Baader Meinhoff Gang, Provisional Irish Republican Army, ETA, Red Action(uk)

On the Right: Us Militia movements , The Contras, Tim Mcveigh etc.

In what circumstances do you as an indivdual think violence would be necessary or justified, if any?

Ever hear of something called the "American Revolution"?

Our nation was founded as a nation by armed stateless actors waging an insurgency.

Simply by being a patriotic American youve tacitly accepted the belief that such action can not only be justified it can be celebrated ( if not we better renmae the city of Washington).

But that doesnt mean stateless volence is ALWAYS justified or always laudable.
The worst example of violence by a stateless actor was the 9-11 attacks on us by a group we had at one time supported as freedom fighters against the Soviet invaders of Afganistan.

why does the state have the right to use violence?

Naturalplasyic, excellent point about Washington and the American Revolution. Good point about the radical Muslims who were involved with 9-11 once being US allies. They are still involved with Sa'udi Arabia a nation that the US fawns over.

In the ideal case, the people hire the government to be armed watchmen and to shoot Bad Guys for our mutual protection. That is the ideal case. In the usual case, Government is not much better than the thugs it is supposed to deal with.

ruveyn

And it's getting worse. Much worse.