Bullying to Accountability: Bigotry, Institutions, and the Struggle for Justice

(Illustrative Only)

A shield of justice.

Always protect 
what is right and just
and you will find
all of society growing
and developing. Let
not those who harm others
be our leaders or
guides. Just about
every religion, every
major philosopher, 
every major theorist
believed in a higher order.
Societies were built
off of those beliefs.

Bullying and bigotry are serious issues that affect workplaces, schools, communities, and institutions. Sometimes people discuss bullying as though it is only a childhood issue, but many of the same behaviors continue into adulthood. Individuals who engage in manipulation, intimidation, harassment, or discrimination often carry those patterns with them over time, creating harm in professional and social environments alike. The problems with not addressing these behaviors when they are young are that they become adult bullies that create wakes of harm. Multiple failures lead to later failures.

One way to think about this is through the Allegory of the Clan modeled as a modern applied version of the Allegory of the Cave described by Plato. That allegory is ultimately about enlightenment, truth, and the difficult process of confronting false perceptions. Modern democratic societies were heavily influenced by Enlightenment ideals such as reason, justice, equality under the law, and human dignity. However, not everyone embraces those values equally. Some individuals are drawn toward prejudice, rumors, corruption, scapegoating, or destructive behavior, especially when those actions are tolerated or rewarded by groups around them.

In the Allegory of the Clan there were basic human rights, civil rights, misuse of courts, secretive lists, targetings, bullying, putting vulnerable at risk and negligence to correct. A type of intentional default that eventually leads to higher functioning systems and greater growth. As people do the right thing they also begin to help others in their society/community and that opens up new opportunities. Where some officials were expected to do the right thing but neglected their oaths newer more enlightened people began to take their place. Natural systems can overcome corruption and the protection thereof for the benefit of everyone. The founding fathers/mothers knew a thing or two about why these values were codified and expected to be upheld from generation to generation. Those who can't uphold them sell us and the next generation out.

Bullying and bigotry can become especially dangerous when institutions fail to address clear wrongdoing. Public trust declines when people believe harmful behavior is ignored, minimized, or excused. At the same time, the overwhelming majority of people—including judges, police officers, educators, and public servants—genuinely want to do what is right and serve society honorably. These professions are essential to maintaining stability, fairness, and public confidence, and society benefits when ethical individuals step forward to serve in those roles.

The problem arises when systems lack accountability or when harmful behavior is normalized. Research on bullying often focuses on children and adolescents, but many adult bullies began developing those behaviors early in life. If those behaviors go unchecked, they can evolve into patterns of intimidation, exclusion, harassment, or abuse of authority later on. When society excuses mistreatment because it is directed at a particular group, it risks creating forms of second-class citizenship and undermining fundamental rights and protections. Such behaviors will go on because there are no appropriate red lights, weak respect over our social contracts, and a collective desire to harm some members of society to help others (the Second Class Citizen Theory).

In broader social thought experiments and historical examples, harmful behavior rarely stays isolated. The same mindset that tolerates injustice in one setting often allows similar harms to spread elsewhere. Conversely, when ethical officials, leaders, and citizens stand up against wrongdoing, it strengthens institutions, improves public trust, and contributes to a healthier society and economy.

Ultimately, accountability matters. Bullies and bigots may continue harmful behavior when they believe there are no consequences. Most are not necessarily bad people but the environment and the immaturity of the people they surround themselves with create a social context of desperate need to be liked and accepted. This is why in our learning thought experiment we use a cult like group that have defined themselves by childhood sports in which they were not necessarily very good nor did they go anywhere with it. Such people grow up to be adult bullies. Positive change depends on individuals within institutions choosing to act with integrity, enforce standards fairly, and protect the principles of justice and equal treatment for everyone.

Consider some of the similarities in the study below and how these things start, 

@The Allegory of the Clan is a thought experiment for learning purposes. Come to any conclusion you desire. There is no right or wrong answer only helpful and unhelpful. As long as you thought about it, you own it. 

Bullying May Be Fueled by the Desperate Need to Belong

• The article argues that bullying behavior is often connected to a strong human desire for social acceptance and belonging.
• Children and adolescents may bully others when they feel excluded, rejected, or insecure about their own social status.
• Bullying can take multiple forms, including physical aggression, social exclusion, rumor spreading, and cyberbullying.
• The authors explain that young people may attack others socially because harming someone’s sense of belonging is emotionally powerful.
• Traditional explanations for bullying include lack of empathy, emotional regulation problems, poor parenting, and a desire for dominance.
• The article suggests that developmental pressures and social needs may also strongly contribute to bullying behaviors.
• Research discussed in the article links social rejection with aggression, emotional distress, and even physical pain.
• Adolescents may be especially vulnerable because peer approval and social identity become increasingly important during this stage of life.
• The authors recommend that bullying prevention programs focus more on promoting inclusion, healthy relationships, and positive peer connections.
• Understanding bullying as a response to unmet belonging needs may improve intervention and prevention strategies in schools.

Underwood, M. K., & Ehrenreich, S. E. (2014). Bullying may be fueled by the desperate need to belong. Theory Into Practice, 53(4), 265–270. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405841.2014.947217