The Gangster State by Charles Tilly

Charles Tilly, social scientist and prolific writer passed away six years ago this week.  From his New York Times obituary:

[Tilly] gave early indications of his argument that war made states in an article that said nation states, with their monopolies on violence, function like gangsters’ protection rackets. He said that governments emphasize, create and stimulate external threats, then ask their citizens to pay for defense.

 

A Vibrant Philly-area Gang

Risa Ferman is a powerful gang leader in Montgomery County, PA.  The results of a recent pillage by Ferman and other gang members can be seen in the picture below.

Ms. Ferman Shows Off Her Loot 

Seven members including Ferman admit to have pillaged the following items:

• a 2007 Toyota SUV
• a 2009 Acura SUV
• 8 cell phones
• a computer
• Cannabis plants (8 pounds)
• Coca plants (23 grams)
• $11,000 US
• 3 firearms
• bullets
• a scale
• plastic bags 

So who did they steal all this property from?  The primary victims are Timothy Brooks and Neil Scott.

In addition to the loot, Ferman and her gang have captured eight members of what they see as a rival gang including Brooks and Scott.      

Ferman claims that these two young men were exchanging plants for U.S. dollars with willing customers.