Civil disobedience is a form of political action where citizens purposefully break the law to express their opposition to a particular policy or law. There are a variety of reasons why someone may choose civil disobedience, but the most common is a sense of moral conviction — specifically, the belief that a law is unjust and needs to be opposed.

Civil disobedience has a long and varied history, with examples stretching as far back as the Jewish prophet Samuel in the year 1045 BCE. After that, civil disobedience was employed by many religious and political leaders throughout history, including Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., both of which have had far-reaching effects in their respective countries.

One of the best-known examples of civil disobedience occurred in the United States in 1960, when four African-American college students refused to leave a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. This sparked a series of non-violent demonstrations across the South, leading to significant advances in civil rights for African-Americans.

In addition to traditional civil disobedience, the modern age has seen the development of new techniques for protesting, such as boycotts, petitions, and guerilla media campaigns. Despite the widespread popularity of these tactics, traditional civil disobedience still remains a powerful tool for social change.

As powerful as civil disobedience can be, it also carries several risks. In some cases, protesters may end up facing criminal prosecution, depending on the severity of the law broken. In other cases, civil disobedience can also lead to physical injury or even death when used in a non-violent manner. It is important for those engaging in civil disobedience to be aware of these risks before embarking on their actions.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is civil disobedience?

Answer: Civil disobedience is a form of political action where citizens purposefully break the law to express their opposition to a particular policy or law.

1. Who are some well-known examples of people who have used civil disobedience?

Answer: Some well-known examples of people who have used civil disobedience include Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and the four African-American college students who refused to leave a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1960.

1. What modern techniques have been used for protesting in addition to traditional civil disobedience?

Answer: Modern techniques for protesting in addition to traditional civil disobedience include boycotts, petitions, and guerilla media campaigns.

1. What risks are associated with engaging in civil disobedience?

Answer: Risks associated with engaging in civil disobedience include criminal prosecution, physical injury, and even death (in non-violent cases).

1. Why do people typically engage in civil disobedience?

Answer: People typically engage in civil disobedience because of a sense of moral conviction and a belief that a law or policy is unjust and needs to be opposed.