Political protests date back to over two hundred years ago with the aim of bringing about institutional change in political and social-economic cycles. Notable examples include the American Revolution that took place in the late eighteenth century and more specifically, the French Revolution of 1789. The revolutions indeed set a precedence and foundation for the various forms of political protests to realize the essential institutional changes especially against authoritarian regimes.
However, it is imperative to note from the outset that this approach should be instituted after all other diplomatic avenues of conflict resolution have failed to yield fruit as demanded by the aggrieved parties. Further, it should be noted that it is a fundamental human right for citizens to hold public gatherings and even demonstrations provided that all the constitutional requirements have been met (Ackerman and Kruegler 19).
Famous leaders of civilian groups notably Mahatma Gandhi of India, Leo Tolstoy and Luther King Junior of United States advocated for non violent protests to realize the required institutional changes. The organization and actualization of such protest has indeed brought forth the anticipated results with a high rate of effectiveness. As a matter of fact, it has been authoritatively asserted that such protests have brought about over sixty transitions from dictatorial regimes (Gene 6).
Countries such as Philippines, Lithuania, France, Israel, Liberia, Trinidad &Tobago, Iran, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Ukraine and most recently Tunisia are among nations that have been liberated from despotic leadership through political protests. These protests have contributed a great deal in ending colonial rule, promoting rights of minority groups and laying ground for good governance. Gross injustice and repressive government policies have been done away with courtesy of such protests.
Political protests are in essence direct action and have taken various forms with the advent of globalization and advancements in technology. Such forms include but are not limited to the following: public demonstrations, protest march, picketing, protest songs, information warfare including use of internet, civil disobedience, sabotage, boycotts and general strikes.
Such are organized by charismatic leaders and rapidly grow to command a large following. These protests apply as per the prevailing circumstances (Ackerman and Kruegler 31).
In order to underscore the prominent role played by mass action in form political protests, two fairly recent case studies will be analyzed. The Orange Revolution in Ukraine and the Tunisian Revolution that led to the ouster of President Ben Ali are relevant examples of fruitful political protests. A systematic analysis of the circumstances that led to the political protests in the mentioned states will help point out the strengths of direct action.
Orange Revolution in Ukraine
The presidential election in Ukraine was marred by a series of irregularities. There were a number of allegations of poll cheating, enormous corruption and intimidation of voters.
Most observers of the election declared it a sham. Following these irregularities, public demonstrations were held in protest of the electoral outcome. Most citizens were of the opinion that the poll results were doctored in favor of Victor Yanukovych against Viktor Yushchenko. The protest therefore erupted in the capital city of Kiev between November 2004 and early 2005.
These daily protests were christened the Orange Revolution that later spread to the entire country. Citizens engaged in public protests, civil disobedience and a number of strikes to express the displeasure at the election outcome. Owing to the continued protests the Supreme Court in Ukraine nullified the results of the presidential election and immediately ordered another vote late in 2004. The rerun definitely drew global interest and worldwide observers trooped in the country to scrutinize the process (Anders and McFaul 158).
The run-off was found satisfactory by both the Ukrainian citizens and international observers. The new results released indicated that Viktor Yushchenko had won by fifty two percent against Viktor Yanukovych who now garnered forty four percent of the vote cast. The Orange Revolution came to an end once President Viktor Yushchenko was sworn in as the President of the republic of Ukraine on 23rd January 2004 (Anders and McFaul 159).
A number of lessons were drawn from this overly successful protest. Many nations and politicians of the twenty first century came to appreciate that it is futile to arm-twist democracy especially in the current dispensation.
The Tunisian Uprising
Mass protests in Tunisia were characterized by mass demonstrations in throughout out the nation from late 2010. The protests that have so far claimed over two hundred lives of Tunisian citizens were ignited by Mohamed Bouazizi on the seventeenth December 2010 when he publicly immolated himself.
The citizens decried poor living conditions, high unemployment rates, rampant corruption, curtailed freedom of expression and inflation in food. The riots gathered so much momentum that the incumbent President Abidine Ben Ali had no choice but to resign and seek asylum in Saudi Arabia on twenty third January 2011.
The unfolding of events in Tunisia has indeed set precedence in the Arab world and countries such Yemen, Jordan Egypt and Algeria have engaged in the same. The ouster of Ben Ali prompted formation of an interim government led by Mohamed Ghannouchi in preparation of elections in the next sixty days. It now remains to be seen how Tunisian authorities will handle the elections and address all issues raised in the protests (Gene 8).
Much as political protests are seen to be quite effective, there is need to have a cautious approach towards the matter since its loop side has far reaching repercussions. For instance, the protests may lead to confrontation with ruthless security officials whose outcome is death, injury and untold suffering. Further, the protest may be wrongly utilized to make citizens ungovernable. Political protests should be used to bring sanity in governance and give direction on conflict resolution.
Works Cited
Ackerman, Peter, and Christopher Kruegler. Strategic Nonviolent Conflict: The Dynamics of People Power in the Twentieth Century. Westport, CT: Praeger, 1994. Print.
Anders, Åslund, and Michael McFaul. Revolution in Orange: The Origins of Ukraine’s Democratic Breakthrough. Boston: Porter Sargent, 2006. Print.
Gene, Sharp. The Politics of Nonviolent Action, part 1: Power and Struggle. Boston: Porter Sargent, 2002. Print.