The author examines the shaping of a scenario of conflict, insecurity, and fear in the city of Rio de Janeiro during the 1990s. The article presents various emblematic episodes, discussing how they were perceived by various segments of the population and the local media.Two different forms of perceiving the dynamics of violence in the city are demonstrated, along with possibilities for dealing with them. One declares the existence of a war and called for law and order, ruling out any consideration of human rights or demands to respect the civil rights of residents in what were considered war-torn areas. The other position proposed a combination of policies involving public security and the promotion of citizenship. This article analyzes such stances, highlighting the way they approach citizenship and exploring some of their potential political developments.
Citizenship; Violence; Individualism; Solidarity; Social movements; Civicism