What factors influence street-level bureaucrats' (SLBs) use of violence? To answer this question, we focus on police officers, a typical example of SLBs, who can lawfully use violence whenever they deem it necessary. Based on ethnographic work among Brazilian police officers dealing with protests, we analyze how violence erupts in the interaction between police officers and protesters. We contribute to the literature by suggesting that no single factor alone can explain the actions of SLBs regarding the use of violence, as previous research has posited. We demonstrate how the interplay between four factors explains the use of violence by SLBs: (1) institutional logic, (2) type of situation, (3) desire for revenge and having fun, and (4) lack of accountability. As such, we propose a more complex account of SLB's use of violence.

中文翻译：

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天生的暴力？了解街头官僚使用暴力的行为：警察和抗议

哪些因素影响街头官僚 (SLB) 使用暴力？为了回答这个问题，我们关注警察，他们是SLB的典型例子，他们在认为有必要时可以合法地使用暴力。根据巴西警察处理抗议活动的人种学工作，我们分析了警察和抗议者之间的互动中如何爆发暴力。我们对文献的贡献是，正如之前的研究所假设的那样，没有任何一个因素可以单独解释 SLB 使用暴力的行为。我们展示了四个因素之间的相互作用如何解释SLB使用暴力：（1）制度逻辑，（2）情况类型，（3）复仇和享乐的欲望，以及（4）缺乏责任感。因此，我们建议对 SLB 使用暴力的行为进行更复杂的描述。