Is Civil Disobedience Justifiable?

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
08/01/2010 16:57

We all know that civil disobedience is the deliberate disobeying of a law to advance a moral principle or change government policy.



Civil disobedience is used as a way of drawing attention to the perceived injustice, for example by damage to property, non-payment of fines or taxes, obstruction of building work, and trespassing. It would seem that those who practice civil disobedience are willing to accept the consequences of their actions as a means of furthering their cause.



However is it ever justifiable for protesters and activists to break the law for the sake of their cause?

jimmyG


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 900

Message Posted:
08/01/2010 17:33

Well it seems to work for the French!!

Blackie


Joined: 20/12/2007
Posts: 129

Message Posted:
08/01/2010 17:35

A resounding yes, especially if the regime is a represive one. Breaking down the Berlin Wall was an illegal act in East Germany, Tinaman Square was illegal. Some issues are so big that if you are commited and are prepared for the consequences which might befall you they are morally justified. Even in non totalitarian states the end sometimes justifies the means, the riots in Copenhagen recently during the global warming sumit were necessary to bring home to the heads of state how people feel about a very important issue, even if in the end it did not achieve anything obvious other than highlighting the issue.

Harold2555



Joined: 19/04/2008
Posts: 1139

Message Posted:
08/01/2010 17:58

I am not sure if I can condone or accept violence as an appropriate form of civil disobedience in any but the most extreme circumstances but there is clearly a place for non violent civil disobedience, India's struggle for freedom being the most poignant if somewhat Hackneyed example.



Harold

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
08/01/2010 18:01

What about the poor old suffragetes! That was organised civil disobedience.

kibrissibel


Joined: 18/02/2008
Posts: 562

Message Posted:
08/01/2010 18:11

Look what happened with the poll tax riots. It was abolished shortly afterwards. It seems that no one takes notice of peaceful protests. It's only when people are forced to riot or resort to civil disobedience to make positive changes that the government seem to stand up and take notice. It's a sad example of not listening to the will of the people.

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
08/01/2010 18:40

Two of my favourite words 'Situational ethics!