When democracies kill: Reflections from the US, India, and Northern Ireland

Existing research, social movements, nongovernmental organizations, and many national governments herald democracy as a, or perhaps the, resolution to state repression. Interestingly, very little attention has been given to the topic of when democracies kill their citizens for political reasons. Drawing upon insights derived from research in three countries (the United States, India, and Northern Ireland), I focus on three strategies that democratic governments use to facilitate their use of violent repressive behavior. These highlight not only areas for subsequent investigation as the world turns to political democracy as the dominant form of regime type but also have implications for those calling for democratic governments as well. Indeed, it may be useful to develop a new phrase as everyone’s political dreams/aspirations come true: ‘Caveat Civis’ – citizens beware.