Dissent To what extent should citizens express dissent

n n n Dissent To differ in opinion It may well be that our

n n n Law and Order Laws are a social contract between governments and

n n n Are the values and attitudes of society always correct? Fair? Examples:

n n n n Non-violent Means Demonstrations Strikes Hunger Strikes Civil Disobedience Draft dodging

n n Dissent happens in both democratic and authoritarian governments. All of the previously

n Problem: Different forms of government respond to dissent differently. The Chinese Government has

n The importance of dissent is that it can be used to express disagreement

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Dissent To what extent should citizens express dissent?

n n n Dissent To differ in opinion It may well be that our means are fairly limited and our possibilities restricted when it comes to applying pressure on our government. But is this a reason to do nothing? Despair is nor an answer. Neither is resignation. Resignation only leads to indifference, which is not merely a sin but a punishment. Elie Weisel

n n n Law and Order Laws are a social contract between governments and their citizens. These reflect the values of any given society. The respect for law and order is what allows pluralistic societies to exist. Many different cultures with many different beliefs/values existing side by side due to respect for common laws that apply to everyone equally. Are the values and attitudes of society always correct? Fair?

n n n Are the values and attitudes of society always correct? Fair? Examples: Segragation in US (150’s) and South Africa (aparthied) Women had no rights separate from their husbands until the 1950’s Assimilation Legislation in Canada (white paper on natives) Ethnic Purity Laws in Germany and North Korea

n n n n Non-violent Means Demonstrations Strikes Hunger Strikes Civil Disobedience Draft dodging Defection Passive Resistance n n n n Violent Means Terrorism Kidnapping/Hostages Assassination Armed Insurrection Civil War Riot

n n Dissent happens in both democratic and authoritarian governments. All of the previously mentioned forms of dissent can be taken to different extremes From moderate forms of non-violent dissent i. e. hunger strikes and passive resistance in India To extreme forms of violent dissent i. e. FLQ Crisis and the Assasination of Politcians in Canada

n Problem: Different forms of government respond to dissent differently. The Chinese Government has brutalized and killed thousands of its own citizens for peacefully protesting for Tibet’s independence (dissent). Depending on an nations values and human rights status you could be thrown i=n jail or killed outright for dissenting.

n The importance of dissent is that it can be used to express disagreement with both democratic and authoritarian regimes.

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