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The ugly truth is that at the root of it all, violence is the foundation upon which society sits. Society is held together by the threat of violence.

A pacifist gets to live their pacifist lives, because they are kept safe by those who would inflict violence upon those who would threaten society.

In the book the soverign individual the author speaks at depth that a "Monopoly on violence" is actually what keeps society safe.

That's an idea that goes back to Hobbes' Leviathan.

I’m afraid you’ve misconstrued pacifism for inaction and cowardice. They’re not the same.

Yeah, I worried about my wording, but couldn't think of anything that would get that point across better.

FWIW, I respect and admire those who avoid violence. We need less application of it in the world, obviously.