Why does the "government" police us?

Question

is it possible for the society in general to self police ourselves, like in law less cultures?

Answer 1

Because we are apparently unable to "police" ourselves.

Answer 2

The question of anarchy versus government monopoly on the use legal force is an age old one.

Ideally, people could in theory behave themselves without any kind of government. In theory, private communities and companies could engage in law creation and enforcement. In theory, communism works.

But realistically, most people need some kind of authority figure to keep them in line, because people are selfish unenlightened animals, for the most part.

You remove the police and the courts and the prisons and watch what happens. That's all the reason you need.

I'd rather have a publicly-regulated government enforcing the law than the mob or a gang.

Answer 3

It's one of the basic reasons to have a govt -- to provide a structure and framework within which society can safely function.

That requires having laws to prevent people from harming each other, or damaging the structure of society.

How far they go in regulating conduct is a debate that has been going on since the first laws were passed, and will continue until the end of civilization.

Answer 4

The is no such entity as governement, they are just people like you and me at the end of the day. It's all good and well to police ourselves but what about when a person decides not to police themself, how do the rest of us deal with that person? To solve that issue we have decided to put a few select people in positions of power called a "government" who will aid us in policing those who will not police themselves. Those who do a good job of being good have nothing to worry about.

Answer 5

Because we are dumb. In fact we are so incredible dumb it amazes me that we work out how to have sex. Honestly you would be amazed at how thick most all people are.
Go sit in at your local court.

Yet lots of people claim they don’t need the law.

As an example an urban gang or even organised criminals such as the Mafia.

They are quick to tell you the law sucks and so do our rules. They are so obsessed with proving they won’t conform to the law that they don’t see that even their gang has structure and laws.

Unknown to blind them they are also controlled by rules and like you and I if they don’t conform they pay a penalty. Trouble is for them it may be the ultimate penalty.
This comes about because once a group forms soon a leader takes charge and he makes the rules.
People are then appointed to enforce his rules and followers who do the dirty work and so support the gang.

So like it or not everyone of us lives by someones law.
The question is whos law are will following.

Answer 6

You know I can't seem to think of one "self police" society that has ever manageed to contribute anything to make this a better world for people to live in!!