Civil Disobedience

Civil disobedience refers to the willful challenge and disruption of law or the orderly flow and process of daily social activity. The intent of such action is to foster change in perceived unjust, immoral, or unethical government policies, mandates, or procedures. Civil disobedience is usually a nonviolent but officially discredited means to resolve citizen grievance. These grievances are generally politically based issues that a segment of the population considers unjust and in which the government is viewed as resisting a suitable resolution.

There are several different methods of civil disobedience that are not criminal by statute, but are nonetheless disruptive. Public speeches, public statements, letters of opposition, petitions, and public declarations are all formal statements that openly deliver an opposing plea. Similar acts such as group representations, symbolic public acts, pressure on individuals, processions, public assemblies, action by consumers, noncooperation with social events, strikes, and rejection of authority are only a few of the equally effective noncriminal tactics available to motivated citizens.

The use of noncooperation and civil disobedience has been widely studied by political philosophers and theorists. Primary questions at the root of civil disobedience are: How sacred is the law of the state, and what are the limits of the authority government can assert over its citizens; also, do citizens have a responsibility to obey bad laws? The fundamental debate is whether government should be responsive to the desires of the people or if the people should absolutely obey the directives of government without challenge.

Two universal truths exist regarding government in civilized countries. The first is whether the creation of laws by government should exist for the welfare of the people. The second is to sustain civility; government is an imperfect but necessary condition. The essential component for a country to remain orderly is citizen respect for the law and the recognition of the authority of some lawmaking body. Each citizen must see himself of herself as a member of the community, and as such, each member has an obligation to respect and obey the law. Certainly as important is the belief that if laws are in place on the behalf and interest of all citizens, then it is the responsibility of the citizens to reshape untenable laws. However, most changes are usually conducted willingly by the government, either by the process of internal or external review. Consequently, when citizens take it upon themselves to violate certain laws, not out of either convenience or self-interest, but rather the larger calling of an ethical or moral good, then their willful disobedience becomes an instrument of change. Any violation of law places offenders under the assessing scrutiny of the justice system, a potential recipient of punishment. Usually those who deliberately commit civil disobedience are prepared for the anticipated judicial response with a defense strategy. An often essential component of the strategy is their arrest and punishment, which draws wider attention and endorsement for their cause. Ideally, others will become polarized and inspired to disobey as an act of both protest and support. As the number of disobedient citizens grows and the impact of their actions spirals into greater social disruption and the corresponding cost to the government increases to intolerable levels, alternatives and compromises will begin to look more attractive to those in power.

...