Civil Disobedience Effectiveness

Words: 796
Pages: 4
Open Document
At the heart of an individual’s rights in the free society claimed to exist in these United States is a right to fight unjust laws. When a nation's statutes interfere negatively with the human rights that have been bestowed upon our brothers and sisters it is our duty as citizens of a free and healthy democracy to protect ourselves and others from the despotism of government. In the absence of national emergency, legislation or executive actions that hinder our ability to express our constitutional rights hold no grounds of acceptance for the people and must be opposed. When carried out correctly, civil disobedience is a peaceful and effective tool available to the populace.

In perfect execution, no other tool is as effective for overturning …show more content…
These images portray the possible instability and inherent danger that civil disobedience casts onto the areas surrounding it. These mental images are wrong. While it is established that civil disobedience has its ties to such endangering movements, in general, civil disobedience has been a shining example of methods to peacefully promote the moral right and persuade government bodies to the amendment of laws. Without civil disobedience, many important movements that kindled the fires of democracy and equality would not have existed. Our nation was founded upon movements such as the Boston Tea Party, a non-violent and symbolic protest that fueled patriotic Americans to attain independence. The United States cemented the foundation of equality, that is continually built upon, through Susan B. Anthony, being arrested for protesting women’s suffrage by attempting to vote, and the famous civil rights movement headed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that strove for peace and equality between all men. Without civil disobediences, this country would not be what it is today, as time and time again the act of civil disobedience thrusts the instrument of power to the people and has sculpted this nation for the
Show More

Related Documents: Civil Disobedience Effectiveness

Martin Luther King Unjust

While King is best known for his advocacy of nonviolent resistance, King's actions clearly illustrate that he was willing to confront unjust laws and systems with the use of direct civil disobedience, even if it meant facing legal consequences. This is shown when King once remarked, “Ordinarily, a person leaving a courtroom with a conviction behind him would wear a somber face, but I left with a smile. I knew that I was a convicted criminal…

Words 1576 - Pages 7

Civil Disobedience In The United States

ability to protest, resist, and criticize the government without fear of consequence. This can be referred to as Civil Disobedience, or peacefully protesting against what one would assume to be unjust laws. Historically, the use of Civil Disobedience has, in many instances, fundamentally altered the direction of this nation. Perhaps the most famous use of this method would be the Civil Rights movement, initiating in 1955 with Rosa Parks, and being built upon by Martin Luther King Jr. during the 60's…

Words 587 - Pages 3

Hamburabi's Code Of Civil Disobedience

As quoted by Martin Luther King Jr., an infamous civil rights activist and reverend, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Throughout human history, several laws, orders, and social rules have been put in place to keep people in line and prevent chaos and violence. Ancient codes, such as the Code of Ur-Nammu and Hammburabi’s code, were written thousands of years ago with the noble goal of having people act appropriately and not harm others or do other harmful or obscene acts (Mark)…

Words 2195 - Pages 9

Examples Of Undermining The Rule Of Law

reservation, break the law, but rather to damage a law’s reputation. In these circumstances, undermining the law is only justified when a group of people can affect a significant change without bloodshed. From Gandhi’s nonviolent resistance in India to the civil rights movement in the United States, peaceful movements have become key elements of political change. Undermining the rule of law peacefully is justified when conventional politics are not responsive in situations that violate justice, human rights…

Words 1756 - Pages 8

Comparing Weber, Thoreau And Dr. King

change–as the latter has legislative power. Speaking up is necessary to end injustice that targets a specific group of people, but according to Thoreau (27) and Dr. King (135) it is important to be willing to engage in civil disobedience and accept the consequences. Civil disobedience…

Words 1442 - Pages 6

Essay on Civil Disobediance

Civil Disobedience Civil Disobedience, by Henry David Thoreau was written in the year of 1848. Thoreau, born in 1817, was an abolitionist, author and poet. He gave lectures often against the use of slavery in the United States. Thoreau intended for his essay to explain his thoughts and feelings toward the American government at that time. He was unsatisfied with the way the politicians were running the country. He disagreed with the war that was going on between America and Mexico and he also was…

Words 1640 - Pages 7

Assess The Difference Between Non-Violence And Nonviolent Resistance

comes to protest, nonviolence is generally the best option. Non-violent resistance is superior when looked at from the standpoints of effectiveness, morality, and societal consequences. Non-violent protest is generally more effective than violent resistance. For example, after the 1955 arrest of Rosa Parks for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man, civil rights leaders in Montgomery began to organize a boycott of the Montgomery bus system. The original terms of the boycott included the…

Words 591 - Pages 3

Examples Of Transcendentalism

“let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand.” The point of simplicity is to provide us humans with a more productive lifestyle without numerous distractions. A perfect example of effectiveness through simplicity, along with another transcendentalist idea, civil disobedience, is with the Cuban Revolution. Fidel Castro disagreed with Batista’s way of ruling after he seized power, as did many others. However, instead of expressing his feelings over social media like many would…

Words 964 - Pages 4

African American Executive Leadership

centuries, subsequently having their civil rights restricted. Since African Americans were transported to America as slaves, they have had their rights forcefully taken away, and even after the abolition of slavery, African Americans have struggled to gain their basic rights. Although the American government has been mistreating African Americans for centuries, the government has made advancements to ensure that African Americans maintain their civil rights. Civil rights are fundamental human rights…

Words 2151 - Pages 9

Martin Luther King Vs. Aung San Suu Kyi

democracy. King was a strong-hearted civil rights activist and preacher, while Aung San Suu Kyi is a strong political leader and democracy advocate. King and Suu Kyi share a passion for democracy, but hold similar and contrasting explanations for their passion. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born in 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He got his Doctorate in Philosophy and Religion and became a pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church. However, most importantly, King was a civil rights activist who paved the way for…

Words 1053 - Pages 5