The Purge: Anarchy’s Reality Problem

“But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” – Federalist 51

The Purge movies (of which The Purge: Anarchy is the second) involve a futuristic America in which, once a year, all crime is permitted.  The movie then chronicles this day of the year.  Basically, everyone tries to murder everyone else as soon as crime becomes permitted.  I find it ironic–especially in light of the passage I have quoted above–that the characters who institute the yearly purge are the “New Founding Fathers of America.” Clearly, they have a very different understanding of human nature than the original Founders did.  Because while men aren’t angels, they aren’t demons either.  The Founders realized this.  Unfortunately, The Purge films indicate that the creators either don’t know or don’t care.

The films misconstrue the nature of both humans and the law (of course, the law presupposes a certain conception of human nature, so these are very interrelated).  They imply that the only thing that keeps humans from raping and killing one another is a society’s laws.  For 364 days of the year in this world, there are laws. In the one day that laws are suspended, mayhem ensues.  It appears fairly obvious that this is not correct. Only the most atomistic, deterministic, and evolutionary picture would lend credence to this conception. Unless we are truly only concerned with our own survival, these events would never occur; we rely on humans not being purely evil in many situations that the law does not cover.  And we trust other humans in these matters because they can usually be trusted.  Granted, I lock my door at night, but not because I think anyone would enter my house with malicious intent simply because they knew they could.  The picture of The Purge is one of comprehensive and universal evil.  Likewise, our laws do not operate in this manner in theory or in practice.  The law is more than a mere set of prohibitions against harm.  It is not, and should not be, based on The Purge’s conception of human nature.

I understand that The Purge: Anarchy is a movie.  Most people aren’t watching it to ponder questions of human nature and the law.  But popular culture shapes people.  Coupled with an individualistic and evolutionary worldview, this picture seems more compelling.  Luckily for all of us, it’s simply not accurate.