Democracy and Henry Thoreau’s Civil disobedience.
Henry Thoreau as an American philosopher, environmentalist, poet and essayist. Known for his 1854 civil disobedience essay which presents a confutation of unjust government. He believed in non-violent protest and practiced civil disobedience through other methods. Civil disobedience is disobeying the law on grounds of ethical or political belief with an aim of bringing change in government.
His ideas reflected in the history of democracy through reassessment of society moral parameters. Civil disobedience also crafts lasting security and prosperity.
Martin Luther King borrowed from his thinking of nonviolent protest which he is known for today. He disobeyed the government.
Civil disobedience plays a major role in democracy. It helps have the government in check hence to blindly follow administration. Citizens can exercise their rights to freedom of speech in unfair and unjust governments. There are limitations and dangers in civil disobedience if it threatens the rule of law.
Violence is never a justified form of civil disobedience. Civil disobedience features include communication, conscientiousness, publicity and non-violence.
There are various forms of civil disobedience today include: Walk-outs, Sit-ins, Debt refusal, Blockades, occupations, unofficial marches, and product/service boycotts
Positive effects include; social reforms, Accountable leaders hence protect minority population, Inclusivity in leadership, better governance and protection of individual rights and establishment of religious freedom. The negative effects include; clashing with government hence one may end up being harassed, media shaming in both print and social media, and arrests.