Numerous studies have explored the link between rising violent crime rates and the rise of authoritarian measures in governments. Research shows that when citizens feel unsafe, they tend to support security policies that compromise civil liberties, leading to authoritarianism. For example, Weaver and Boucher (2018) found that heightened insecurity leads people to prefer increased government control and surveillance, even at the expense of personal freedoms.
Civil unrest and attacks on government property also signal authoritarianism. Incidents like assaults on government buildings and police ambushes reflect public frustration over the erosion of rights. Ponce and Schmitt (2020) noted that growing anxiety about safety can provoke backlash against perceived law enforcement excesses and authoritarian governance.
A police-to-citizen ratio exceeding one officer for every 600 people can lead to civil unrest, as increasing police presence may only temporarily address underlying issues. In places like Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, the ratio can reach one officer for every 200 residents, prompting individuals to retreat but return violently when police numbers decrease.
Politicians who assert that increasing police presence will resolve societal issues demonstrate incompetence as leaders. Their policies warrant careful scrutiny, as they often contribute to the very violence they claim to be addressing. Perhaps we should mandate public inquiries once the civil unrest ratio is triggered?
As authoritarianism intensifies, violence against police officers is likely to rise. We will see more murders (ambushes) of our police. We are now seeing more officers relocating from Victoria to safer states with less authoritarian governance.
References:
Weaver, V., & Boucher, E. (2018). The Authoritarian Turn: The Impact of Insecurity on Public Support for Security Measures. Journal of Politics .
Ponce, J., & Schmitt, C. (2020). Crime, Rights, and Repression: Analyzing the Effects of Crime on Authoritarian Practices. Political Psychology .