Is Vigilantism A Value In Equestria?

[Denim&Venöm 20,471]

I mean think about it. We have not seen any police or law enforcement in the show, and the Royal Guard appears to be more of a ceremonial secret service agency to protect the princesses. Every instance has been civilian ponies working to save the day. NMM returns in Ponyville? 6 civilians pursue her. Dragon plunging the land into nuclear winter? Same 6 civilians. Stampede? Local farmer handles it. Dam breakage, runaway bus, building collapse, foal in a well? Solved by either the local weather horse or a costumed hero. 

 

The only disasters the guards were involved in were the changeling invasion and Tirek's rampage. The first one they got their plots handed to them and during the second one, civilians were involved in half those battles. 

 

And before you say Wonderbolts, it's pretty safe to say that the wonderbolts are not a branch of the military. They may have military origins, but 1000 years of peace have had them made into more of an olympic sports team with military traditions. Heck, sports throughout history, were being done to prep boys for military service. The only times the bolts tried to save the day were during Sonic Rainboom, Secret Of My Excess & Party Pooped. And the first two times, they were the ones in need of saving! 

 

So vigilantism. Is it a value held in high regard within Equestrian society?

[Concerned Bystander 2,905]

Vigilantism would suggest ponies acting in an extra-judiciary manner.  As you pointed out, there seems to be no judicial process or infrastructure in evidence in Equestria.  It could be argued that this fact makes the concept of vigilantism non applicable.

 

We know from the episode 'Trade Ya' that the princesses are called upon to mediate disputes, but even when a situation arises such as in 'Magic Duel' there seemed to be no legal intervention, even the mayor took no part in the events.

 

It may be that there is so little crime in Equestria that such apparatus has never been considered necessary and that on the rare occasions when something does happen, that it is dealt with on a self-help basis by anyone with the ability to do so, and that only when things get really out of hand, does the authority (ie. the princesses) intervene.

Edited August 13, 2015 by Concerned Bystander

[cider float 2,539]

It does seem that they always rely on a small group to solve dangerous cases not associated with an armed faction.

 

Celestia and Luna have taken care of many threats before the mane six such as Discord and Sombra. The mane six took up the mantle to solve problems and as a result Twilight became a princess and continued to fight Equestria's battles.

[GuyNamedEarl 1,332]

There definately are law figures, like the sherif in Appleooza. Most ponies are good ponies, so they kind of police themselves.

[chirox the pony 1,336]

Well yeah they sort of are, well not actual vigilantes but do tend to take matters into their own hands. Whatever gives the plot a reason to exist.