Introduction: People in Protest

Abstract

Political participation exploded during the twentieth century. Asserting diverse policy demands, citizens voted, joined protest movements, and supported revolutions. Today electoral participation represents the main type of political activity for most people. Even though fewer individuals engage in protests, such as demonstrations, marches, boycotts, sit-ins, and fights with police, protest behavior has recently increased. Economic movements seek greater policy benefits for their members. Unionists strike to secure higher wages, more fringe benefits (health care, pensions), and government decisions that will attain greater income equality. Peasant leagues stage land seizures. The urban poor riot against high food prices and cuts in government food subsidies. Communal movements articulate national, ethnic, and religious demands. National liberation movements strive for independence from colonial rule. Ethnic associations seek increased representation in government decisionmaking, even full autonomy or secession. Religious groups, such as the Roman Catholic base communities and Islamic revivalist organizations, struggle for a more purified political system. New civic action movements take actions against central state control.