Civil Disobedience: A Key For Change

Human beings possess several virtues that differentiate them from other creatures and can use them in ways that represent their perceptions of social order. Surprisingly, Oscar Wilde believes that disobedience is an original virtue of every human and that it is responsible for progress and development. While Wilde’s claim is not entirely accurate, it is largely valid as evidenced by the recent events across the world, including the US, that have led to positive outcomes in spite of being termed and perceived as acts of disobedience.

From the monarchs of the ancient era to the democracy of today, order has been maintained by means of rules and regulations known as laws. Compliance with these laws is enforced through punishments ranging in severity according to the crimes committed to reduce violence and misconduct from individuals within a society. However, just as citizens consent to abide by the laws of the state in which they reside, one is compelled to preserve justice and condemn the unjust decisions of man when the social contract contradicts the laws sanctioned by God. Approaching this conflict between natural and manmade laws in a non-violent manner is called “civil disobedience”.

Brilliantly put by what many deem to be America’s greatest president of all time, Abraham Lincoln, “Let every man remember that to violate the law is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the charter of his own and his children’s liberty.” Civil disobedience is defined as the refusal to comply with certain laws as a form of political protest. Although many may argue that this is the sole way to keep the government in check and to make minorities heard, rational people will realize that it is not this disrespect of the law that proves the democracy of our nation.

There are many civil disobedient that have shown impatience with the process of democracy. The Bill of Rights provides many opportunities for demonstrations to stimulate sentiment, to dramatize issues, and to cause change. These rights are subject to limitations of time and place so as to secure the rights of others. Also, the demonstrations must not be disguised as a right because it defeats its purpose. As the civil disobedient violates a law, and voluntarily submits to its sanctions, he breaches the law but not the peace. To indulge civil disobedience is to bring on anarchy, and the permissive arbitrariness of anarchy is less tolerable than the repressive arbitrariness of tyranny. Too often the license of liberty is followed by the loss of liberty. The disobedient act of conscience doesn’t enhance democracy; it gradually destroys democracy. The non-violent acts of disobedience will give rise to more civil riot. Van Dusen said, even the noblest act of civil disobedience assaults the rule of law. Although limited to method, motive and objective, it has the effect of inducing others to engage in different forms of law breaking characterized by methods unsanctioned and condemned by classic theories of law violation. Once the civil disobedient disobeys one law, he repeatedly subverts all

Civil disobedience allows citizens in the free society of the United States to express their opinions in a way that is sure to evoke governmental attention, while enlightening the public

The author exemplifies the ways that disobedience helps the society and its contribution to furthering the human race but notes on the fact that blind obedience may eventually account for the end of civilization.

Have you ever felt a rule you had to follow was unjust? Have you ever felt your moral instinct tell you not to follow it? Prominent figures in American history, Martin Luther King Jr. and Henry David Thoreau, felt this way and decided to not follow the rules imposed on them by indulging in “civil disobedience”. Civil disobedience is the act of peacefully disobeying laws or customs with the purpose of combating moral injustice. This form of protest has proven to be quite effective in making change in history. In “Civil Disobedience” and the “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”, both Thoreau and King Jr. write their justification for their actions as well as their feelings regarding the particular disputed

From the time we are children and throughout the duration of our lives, we are told to abide by certain sets of rules. In most situations this is a perfectly acceptable expectation; speed limits, remaining quiet in libraries, and waiting until the age of twenty-one to drink are all reasonable things to ask of people. After all, these rules and laws are put in place to ensure a peaceful and safe society. However, when these rules begin to infringe upon the rights of certain groups, some citizens turn to civil disobedience as a form of protest. While some may argue that civil disobedience is nothing more than a violation of the law, it has also proven to have a positive impact on society, in more ways than one. Used by Mahatma Gandhi and Martin

Furthermore, a person who acts with civil disobedience means, in the words of Martin Luther King Jr., “One who breaks an unjust law… openly, lovingly…, and with a willingness to accept the penalty”. In other words, civil disobedience is respectfully breaking a law that is disagreed with, and then openly accepting the consequence. During the world’s history,

The morality of disobeying unjust laws has been a highly debated topic. Some believe that it is never right to break a law, while others cite morals, and universal code such as the laws of God as justification for disobeying national laws. However, while it is possible to debate the morals of disobeying laws, you cannot debate the of effects civil disobedience. Only looking at the results, it is obvious that peaceful disobedience to unjust laws has been beneficial to free societies. To look at the benefits of peaceful disobedience, we must first look at the founding vision for government, and what civil disobedience means.

What good can come of disobedience? Many have asked—especially those who’ve been obedient their entire life. Since the time our foot has entered kindergarten, everyone was taught to be respectful and usually, that meant being compliant to our teachers. Being obedient was engraved into our heads at a very young age and that it'll lead us to a better future. Can we honestly say it's our future that we are leading? We'll grow up being a sheep of mankind, and that's why being disobedient is crucial in life. Disobedience allows for society to progress because it generates a better future, promotes individualism, and changes how people view controversial subjects.

Overall, disobedience can affect several people in general, or only themselves in different ways. Also it can improve in social progress or make it weaker. The meaning of disobedience isn’t all about failure, or not following the rules. It can also be something positive, and it can lead you into having faith in yourself.

Henry David Thoreau once said, “Government is best which governs not at all.” This oxymoron, which testifies to the human imperfections of both citizen and legislator, provokes the question of civil disobedience. From walking to sitting, civil disobedience has been a controversial way of ameliorating imperfect government. However, contrary to critics who decry the supposedly chaotic, anarchical nature of peaceful protest, civil disobedience is a legitimate way to express grievances toward an unjust law. Because it shows respect for the law, checks its own ambition, and provides an alternative to denied representation, civil disobedience positively impacts a free society.

Disobedience is something we have all done at one point. Especially in the age of adolescence disobedience is a regular thing we do. I think disobedience is a good thing to experience because it helps us grow to stand up for ourselves and in a way to be defiant and not agree with what everyone says.

Disobedience? Is that really such a bad thing? If we went around and asked our parents, teachers, mentors, or anyone else who is a positive role model in our lives their answer might say yes. That is because that is what they have probably been taught since they were young. Most people have probably always heard when an authority figure tells someone to do something or tells someone to stop doing something you do it or stop doing it.