Bad Faith Episode 530 - "Defund The Police"? (w/ Alec Karakatsanis & Matthew Stoller)
20 snips
Nov 27, 2025 
Join public defender and civil rights advocate Alec Karakatsanis and antitrust expert Matthew Stoller as they dive deep into the contentious 'defund the police' movement. Alec shares compelling historical insights on policing as a mechanism of power, while Matthew raises concerns about state capacity and public safety. Their debate explores the implications of the phrase 'defund', its reception in society, and alternatives for ensuring safety without armed police. The discussion highlights the crucial balance between reform and a radical vision for change.
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Monopoly, Coercion, And State Capacity
- Matt links monopoly power to arbitrary coercion and argues stronger state capacity is needed to police corporate harms.
- He warns weakening state enforcement risks empowering oligarchs and undermining democracy.
Policing As A Tool Of Power
- Alec traces policing's historical role crushing progressive movements and protecting elites' interests.
- He argues police institutions have consistently served power, shaping modern mass incarceration.
The Late-70s Shift To Mass Incarceration
- Alec highlights the late-1970s pivot that expanded punitive policing and mass incarceration.
- He links that pivot to diverted enforcement away from white-collar crime toward punitive drug enforcement.
