Modern national government is the embodiment of translating the mob mentality into destructive action.
When peoples’ fears and resentments are whipped up by demagogues they feel justified in collectivizing their action to punish those who have offended the sensibilities of the community or are somehow part of the same group, other members of which have done harm.
Responsibility for the violent actions from the individuals who carried them out is diffused by virtue of being part of large group of people, both in the eyes of the actors themselves and the community at large.
Though this mob mentality and action is not as acute as when your neighbors are going after the local monster who raped the nearest sweetheart, it is as destructive. Just as a mob might trample innocents and smash windows along its path to seek justice and the individuals involved think nothing of it, so government officials carrying out their duties do not often feel regret for the collateral damage they inflict.