Of god(s), societies and punishment

Societies have always found it necessary to punish rule-breakers in order to keep cohesion. It worked well in smaller groups because everyone knew each other and could directly observe behavior. But what happens with societies get so large that such direct observation was not possible? This article claims that is when Gods appeared to provide the necessary punishment for bad behavior. Shared beliefs in God(s) provided assurance that people would behave appropriately and if they didn't they'd get appropriate punishment, if not in this life than certainly in the hereafter.

But what about contemporary, secular societies without God(s) to mete out punishment? Then it is necessary to form laws and ethical rules with appropriate punishments for the wicked who violate them. It is still necessary for tracking behavior and the enforcement of punishment for violators. Otherwise they rip the social fabric and tear apart what binds us. It seems the strong reaction against what is called 'cancel culture' defends against holding violators accountable because it challenges those who are privileged who fear that they too will be held accountable for their behavior.

Of course there our instances where the privileged feel they have been unjustly called to account by rogue elements that hold unreasonable standards of behavior. But that is for the society at large to determine what those standards are. And to provide the legal and ethical means for adjudication to make a determination. It is not though up to the privileged to claim exclusion from the process, otherwise it destroys the very cohesion necessary to bind us. 

If the current political situation in the US has taught us anything it is certainly that. See the Code of Ethics for US Government Service. When violated offenders need at the very least to be publicly called out and ostracized. And further, if laws are violated, to be prosecuted and punished accordingly. This of course relates to AOC's Twitter comment and the response, and her previous comments on cancel culture.