1. World problems
  2. Citizen disobedience

Citizen disobedience

  • Citizen resistance under the Nuremberg obligation

Nature

The belief that an individual may have international legal obligations which override his national obligations, and which require him to passively, actively, or violently resist his country's behaviour - whether or not that behaviour has been embodied in national law - arises from the example of the findings of the Nuremberg Tribunal, which sentenced 22 Nazi defendants in 1945-1946. Thus, citizens who hold that their country is waging, or about to wage, an unjust war, may refuse to support that war, may refuse conscription, and may harm the war effort psychologically or materially in acts ranging from anti-war protest and polemic, to destruction of property, and physical attacks on individuals deemed to have some responsibility in making or carrying out policy.

Incidence

Resistance can be by civilians or military; the form of verbal dissent is the most common. The American protestors against the Vietnam war are best known, but subsequent to this, there have been Russian protestors against the Afghanistan mission, and British protestors against the Maldive-Falklands exercise and Northern Ireland pacification. Protest has recently moved from the verbal mode, and from the passive occupation of public property, to fasting and fasting to death, and there seems to be a proliferation of willingness for self-violence in advocating causes, with some movement towards acts of sabotage and, among the unstable, towards violence against their societies in general.

Claim

Citizen disobedience is a critical issue that undermines the very fabric of democracy. When individuals resort to defiance against unjust laws, it highlights systemic failures and societal injustices. This form of protest, while often necessary, can lead to chaos and division, eroding trust in institutions. We must address the root causes of disobedience—inequality, oppression, and lack of representation—rather than merely reacting to its manifestations. Ignoring this problem risks perpetuating cycles of unrest and societal fragmentation.This information has been generated by artificial intelligence.

Counter-claim

Citizen disobedience is often overstated as a significant issue. In reality, it reflects a healthy engagement with democratic processes, allowing individuals to express dissent and advocate for change. Rather than being a problem, it serves as a vital check on authority, fostering dialogue and progress. Focusing on disobedience distracts from more pressing societal challenges, such as inequality and climate change. We should celebrate civic engagement, not demonize it.This information has been generated by artificial intelligence.

Broader

Narrower

Aggravates

Aggravated by

Pacifism
Presentable

Related

Errant nationals
Unpresentable

Strategy

Resisting invasion
Unpresentable

Value

Resistance [D]
Yet to rate
Resistance [C]
Yet to rate
Obedience
Yet to rate
Nonresistance
Yet to rate
Disobedience
Yet to rate

SDG

Sustainable Development Goal #16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions

Metadata

Database
World problems
Type
(D) Detailed problems
Biological classification
N/A
Subject
  • Defence » Resistance
  • Government » Citizenship
  • Innovative change » Change
  • Content quality
    Presentable
     Presentable
    Language
    English
    1A4N
    D5707
    DOCID
    11457070
    D7NID
    139823
    Last update
    Oct 4, 2020