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civ·il dis·o·be·di·ence
Noun:
The refusal to comply with certain laws or to pay taxes and fines, as a peaceful form of political protest.
Henry David Thoreau coined the term in 1848
When an act of civil disobedience takes place, a law or official policy is broken. For example, when Rosa Parks refused to sit in the back of the bus, she was breaking a law. This makes her act a form of civil disobedience. Without this defining characteristic, disobedience would not take place. Which undermines the purpose of civil disobedience.
Civil disobedience must have a purpose. Most of the time when acts of disobedience take place, the purpose is to gain attention for the issue that is being protested. With the ultimate goal being to bring about political and social reform. Continuing with the example of Rosa Parks, her intention was to show racial inequality and the ultimate goal was to gain equality in the legal system.
Debates over violence vs. non-violence
"Limited violence used to achieve a specific objective might heighten the communicative quality of the act by drawing greater attention to the dissenter's cause and by emphasising her seriousness and frustration."
"Disobedience that is wholly civil should never provoke retaliation."
There is much debate over the use of violence when it comes to civil disobedience. Each side has its own arguements, but ultimately the absence of violence helps create a stronger case for protesters. By using acts of non-violence, dissenters are able to display their cause without getting caught up in violnce and bad publicity.
Views of Civil Disobedience
With the topic of civil disobedience comes many different perspectives on the subject. For some, such as followers of Thoreau's teachings, civil disobedience is viewed as a necessity and a right of the people to practice, especially in times when the government may need to be reevaluated.
For others, civil disobedience is only acceptable under certain circumstances. Like Hedges states, civil disobedience should be used appropriately and only when there is a legitimate need for it.
A final view to end with is the belief that civil disobedience is disruptive to society and with it comes chaos. And so, in order to avoid this disturbance, citizens must submit to government policies in order to keep the peace.
On a final note, civil disobedience has distinct qualities that define its parameters. It has a place in history and is still making history to this day. Acts of civil disobedience have brought great changes to society and it has many followers as well as critics. All in all, civil disobedience takes place in society and ,therefore, it is important to be educated on the matter.
Occupy Wall Street
A modern day example of civil disobedience
Protesters set up encampments so they can have a constant presence when displaying there discontentment with the American government.
Martin Luther King Jr., a reverend and activist, helped to organize several acts of civil disobediece. Including sit-ins, boycotts, and marches.
Rosa Parks was arrested for commiting civil disobedience when she refused to sit in the back of a bus.
Civil disobedience is not a thing of the past. It still takes place to this day. Reform is constatly needed in a society to conform to a society's needs. Therefore, civil disobedience will constantly be in use.
Never do anything against conscience even if the state demands it
The Civil Rights Movement
Women used acts of civil disobedience, such as picketting, to gain the right to vote.
Women's Suffrage
I have no problem with someone violating boundaries [when] that violation is the smart, appropriate thing to do. I have a huge problem with people violating boundaries for the sake of violating boundaries.
1. A law or policy is broken
2. Purpose of gaining political change
3. Non-violent tactics
Thoreau, an American author and transcendentalist, refused to pay tax since it was being used to support the war against Mexico and he did not approve of this. Thoreau's refusal to pay tax became known as an act of civil disobedience. Later, people began to study his philosophies and Thoreau even inspired leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Mohandas Ghandi.