EVENT #16

For a variety of reasons investigated by philosophers, sociologists, political scientists and – last but not least – criminologists, the State has lost its central role, and the (real and symbolic) protection it used to offer are waning. In this time of crisis, the fear of the violence that the State’s power used to contain is reemerging in a virulent way. This alarm signal points to the urgent need of restoring the project of the modern State or finding a new one that could protect even the weakest, most vulnerable members of society. On the other hand, there never was a human society where fear did not play a role, or was even deliberately instilled into people in order to build political consensus. A dialogue between a criminologist and a psychologist who share the view that examining old and new fears is a way to try and under stand some of the ongoing changes.