Who do you train to fight? What are the stakes and the best/worst outcomes? Today we're looking at motivation to commit violent acts.
1. Justice/Revenge
The attacker believes that the victim has committed a murder or other atrocity that can only be rectified with their death or "an eye for an eye".
Even a slap immediately elicits anger and the instinct to retaliate.
When we are an outside observer, it's easy to see wars and long-term conflict as a meaningless cycle of violence, as each side retaliates against the other. It's very different being part of that conflict, because your side is obviously justified.
If you harm another, or their family, you should apologize to avoid retaliation.
2. School of Hard Knocks
Also known as "I'll teach you a lesson!". The victim refuses to obey or perhaps to even listen, so the frustrated attacker uses the parental tactic of spanking to gain compliance.
Frustration turns into anger for some people very quickly. We can also see this principle in the large scale, since many people consider diplomacy between nations as a mans of averting war; so when those words fail, obviously the violence begins. Again, this seems like backwards thinking from a rational standpoint.
In personal conflict resolution, you should give the frustrated person understanding and offer to help, even if you can't give them what they asked for. To flatly refuse a demand, and then to refuse to listen or negotiate can set off a violent person.
3. Honour and Ego
We think that the concept of the duel for honour that used to be a common occurrence doesn't happen today. We may find it hard to get into the headspace that God is on the side of right, so the winner of the fight is the one favoured by God, and therefore the party in the right.
If you don't feel that personal honour exists today, think of it as reputation and ego. When a person feels diminished or insulted, they may lash out. If they feel humiliated in public, that is worse. If their reputation is harmed in the eyes of their friends, peers, clients or coworkers, that can be the most volatile situation.
An accidental bump with an elbow is not a matter of "Revenge" (above) but one of honour. The thinking goes: "I am an important person that should not be jostled, even by mistake."
So even when a person is clearly deserving of an insult or a practical joke, try to restrain your desire to take them down a peg. They may come back at you later in a violent way. If other people are picking on someone, defend them.
4. Command
Whether the attacker is a security guard or a soldier among thousands, some people are trained to fight and kill because they're told to. Perhaps it is their duty, or perhaps they are paid. Remember that ideology is a far better motivator than money.
This is a very tricky matter, because as a society we give authority to certain groups to perform violence. Unfortunately, some members of those groups think that it gives them authority to do any violence they think will do the job. We need to be clear with our soldiers and police that although no one may use force except them, they are very restricted in the means and circumstances they are allowed to use force.
In Bartitsu, we revere the suffragettes who used jujitsu against the oppressive police of London. It's easy for us to cheer them in retrospect. Do you think you would approve of people attacking the police with clubs if you were there in 1899?
We should also keep in mind that the soldiers of our enemies are also using force under command. They may not be highly paid, or crazy for their nation's ideas, but most are professionals who understand that it is their job to obey orders and point their weapons together against the foe.
Who are you likely to face who will use violence under command? That's a tough question. Some criminals may attack on order from a gang leader. Or you may be part of a peaceful protest, and have a security guard or police attempt to overstep their authority. Every situation is different, but you have a right to defend yourself against anyone who would do violence to you.
Remember that if their only motivation is to obey authority, then appealing to their humanity can sometimes work. Tell them your name, and ask for theirs. Use their name frequently.
5. Sport
Boxing and other sport-fighting is a test of prowess, and frequently an extension of honour or of money. Some who step into the ring have a personal reason, and that will be a better motivation than merely scoring points.
The level of violence in sport is usually lower than in other situations we've been examining, since the event is overseen by a referee and combat sports have doctors present to treat any injuries.
6. Threat
The criminal may merely threaten violence, or he may try to prove his threats credible. In a way, this is related to Hard Knocks and Honour, and Command: the actual motivation of the threat is either to get paid (Command), because they need to assert dominance (Honour) or because they want to convey a message (Hard Knocks).
A threat made real is often easier to anticipate, because they want you to understand what they will do. If they are trying to make you an example to others, they will want their witnesses to clearly see what happened. Stay alert, because they'll telegraph their moves.
They want you to fear them. You may think that pretending to be afraid is the correct response. In fact, you're teaching them that it feels good to abuse you. You should remove the reason for them to menace you. Say "I get it. I understand."
7. Accident
Though not a motivation for violence, danger may be present and lead to the same outcomes. A loaded gun may misfire. Bad footing may cause one to fall and drag down others or hit them on the way down.
Be aware of environmental threats and dangerous situations. Events are unpredictable, but carelessness is the most common attribute of accidents.
Overall Reason
You may notice that many of these categories overlap and more than one may motivate the same person.
There's really only one reason for violence: ego. People feel that their integrity is more important than the suffering of others. So if they are diminished by poverty, by insult, by unfair treatment, they may think that violence is the way to keep their integrity. They may not have been personally harmed, but they are acting to protect their group. And fear of these things can prompt violence even without a clear action.
Violence seems like a logical way to even the score. After all, it is the easiest thing to understand: we are all diminished when we are in pain, injured or killed. An ego brought low will try to bring others down.
Your fear is a weakness. And being weak, you will more likely resort to violence. Don't fear others, they need your cooperation, acceptance and help. Be a strong person for them.
So there's really one solution: treat people well. There will be less violence in the world when we are all generous.
Bartitsu is Silat
Now that all that non-violence is out of the way, let's take a look at Silat Suffian Bela Diri. My research keeps bringing me back to this style because it actually employs all the principles of Bartitsu, and so many of the practical techniques.
Head of Stage Combat at Academie Duello and certified Instructor with Fight Directors Canada. Head of Bartitsu at Academie Duello, the longest continuously running Bartitsu program in the world. Read more from David McCormick.