Is Protest the Answer? - Why the Surge in Protests?

Many protests are ignited by the following:

* Dissatisfaction with social systems. When people believe that the local government and economy  serve their needs, there is little desire to protests-people work within the existing order to address their problems. On the other hand, when people feel that these systems are corrupt and unjust and rigged in favor of a select few, conditions are ripe for social unrest.

* A trigger.  Often, an event moves people to action, to change from resignation to a belief that they must do something. Mohamed Bouazizi's  case, for example, set off mass protests in Tunisia. In India, a hunger strike against corruption by activist Anna Hazare set off  protests by her supporters in 450 cities and towns. 

As the Bible long ago acknowledged, we live in "a world where some people have power and others have to suffer under them." (Ecclesiastes 8:9, Good News Translation )  Corruption and injustice are even more widespread today than they were back then. Indeed, people are more aware than ever before of how political and economic systems have failed them.  Smartphones, the Internet,and 24-hour news broadcasts now allow events even in isolated places to trigger a response over a large area. 

Next time: Is Protest the Answer? - What Have Protests Accomplished?

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