This thread is for asking any questions that might seem obvious, tangential, silly or what-have-you. Don't be shy, everyone has holes in their knowledge, though the fewer and the smaller we can make them, the better.
Please be respectful of other people's admitting ignorance and don't mock them for it, as they're doing a noble thing.
To any future monthly posters of SQ threads, please remember to add the "stupid_questions" tag.
How are organised groups that consider themselves above the law formed?
Apparently the Crips gang was started as a neighbourhood watch against criminals. I'm interested in how violent groups are formed - paramilitaries and such. Anywhere where I can read more on the topic? A wikipedia article for instance. It's fascinating how someone can take a non-violent group and make it violent - I suppose there is research on the tactics - scapegoating and what not. From every field from how Jihadis are radicalised, to socialists and turned into passionate revolutionaries.