Acts of Violence

This chapter outlines the theme relating to ‘acts of violence’ and the sub-themes of ‘state monopoly’, ‘bullying of whistle blowers’ and ‘suspension of rule of law’. The sub-theme of state monopoly expands on this key concept and supports Zygmund Bauman's assertion that modern citizens are uniquely vulnerable because they have given up the right to violence. The public inquiry into Mid Staffordshire published in 2013 also reported concerns about organisational culture, bullying and whistleblowing which implicated the Royal College of Nursing, a national trade union. The inquiry reported poor treatment of whistle blowers and found that the trust was more concerned ‘to protect the subject of concern rather than the informant’. Child Sexual Exploitation at Rotherham and patient abuse and neglect at Mid Staffordshire National Health Service Foundation Trust both represent suspension of the rule of law, a fundamental legal principle dating back to the Magna Carta between King John and the barons and issued in 1215.