Читать книгу Why are Europeans snitches. The historical roots of snitching in Europe - - Страница 3

The general history of snitching in Europe goes back to ancient times, when various mechanisms of control and betrayal arose in society. Political and social circumstances, such as the struggle for power, class struggle and the desire to preserve the status quo, played an important role in this process. In ancient Rome, for example, whistleblowing served as a tool to eliminate political rivals, which contributed to creating an atmosphere of distrust and fear.

Medieval Europe brought its own nuances to the phenomenon of snitching, especially during the Inquisition and political repression. Here, denunciations were used as a means of controlling the population, which allowed the authorities to identify and punish dissidents. Personalities exposing «enemies of the people» often became heroes, which only exacerbated ethical dilemmas.

In more modern conditions, starting with the revolutionary movements of the XVIII century and ending with the totalitarian regimes of the XX century, snitching adapted to new realities. In the conditions of war and political crises, it played a decisive role in manipulating public opinion and suppressing the opposition. The tradition of whistleblowing, which had an impact on public relations, eventually formed resistance and negative perception among the population, maintaining its relevance even in our time.

With the advent of industrialization and the growth of the urban population, institutionalized snitching became even more widespread. In the 19th century, special police forces arose that used denunciations to maintain order and suppress the labor movement. This wave of repression led many people to perceive informants as traitors, which further deepened the division in society.

In the 20th century, with the establishment of totalitarian regimes such as Nazi Germany and the Stalinist Soviet Union, snitching became systemic. Here it became an instrument of mass terror, where denunciations were used to destroy real and imaginary enemies of the regime. Informants often acted out of fear, a desire to please the authorities, or for personal gain, creating an atmosphere of paranoia and distrust in society.

Modern societies, despite democratic values, still face questions about the boundaries of whistleblowing. In the context of globalization and new technologies, snitching takes other forms, for example, in the form of anonymous complaints on the Internet. This creates new ethical dilemmas related to privacy, security and human rights, keeping the problem relevant today.