Revolutionaries to Effect Change in Oppressive Regimes - Research Paper Example

? Revolutionaries are the best ways to effect positive change in oppressive regimes when human rights are violated and injustices exist Institution: Abstract Oppressive regimes violate human rights and deny the citizens their democratic rights of voting in new governments. Revolutionaries involve rapid political and social change that is mainly enacted by civilians through massive protests and boycotts. Oppressive regimes control the justice system and the media thus limiting freedom of expression and civil liberties in the society. Revolutionaries are the most effective means of effecting positive change in oppressive regimes. Examples of revolutionaries that succeeded in bringing positive change and ending injustices include American Revolution, French Revolution and Recent revolutions in Arab countries. Revolutionaries are the best ways to effect positive change in oppressive regimes when human rights are violated and injustices exist Introduction Revolutionaries are the best way to effect positive change under any oppressive regime. Revolutionaries are justified when citizens experience continued injustices and violation of basic human rights by the ruling government. Revolutionary refers to drastic change that occurs when citizens break laws in order to protest against government policies. Examples of revolutionaries that were precipitated by oppressive regimes include the Civil Rights Movements in the US and recent Arab World uprisings. Citizens engage in revolutionaries by refusing to pay taxes, damaging government property and civil protests that aim at blocking traffic flow in major highways. Revolutionaries occur when the oppressive regime blocks the channels of negotiation or when the government is not willing to address the problems affecting the citizens (Spielvogel, 2011). This paper will discuss the importance of revolutionaries in bringing positive change in oppressive regimes when citizens experience injustices and violation of fundamental human rights. John Locke (1632-1704) asserts that governments derive their authority from the people thus civil liberties of the citizens should be protected by the government (Grant, 1991). Citizens should engage in revolutions if the government violates their human rights and curtails freedom of expression. According to Locke, if regimes alter the laws in order to curtail the rights of individuals, the citizens are justified to protest and overthrow the government (Grant, 1991). The ruling regime should adhere to the social contract between the government and citizens. John Rawls asserts that civil liberties enable citizens to live harmonious in the society thus all individuals should be accorded equality in rights and freedoms (Grant, 1991). Government economic policies should not disadvantage of the minority or create inequalities in income and wealth distribution. Most of the Arab uprisings were occasioned by high income inequalities that created high unemployment and poor living conditions to the low income earners. The ruling regime should promote civil rights and minimize social classes in the society in order to promote the welfare of the whole society (Richards, 2004). Revolutionaries are the best method of affecting positive change when several minority groups encounter discrimination and injustices from the oppressive regimes. Such regimes are characterized by dictatorship rule, disrespect for humanity and lack of freedom of expression in the society (Spielvogel, 2011). For instance, President Mubarak violated Egyptian constitution by hindering the freedom of media and civil liberties of individuals who criticized government policies. In oppressive regimes, citizens have no economic and political power to change the ruling government. Oppressive regimes have total control of the media thus citizens should engage in mass civil protests and boycotts to effect positive change in the political leadership. For instance, Gaddafi’s oppressive regime targeted journalists who criticized or reported of atrocities that were committed on the citizens by government security forces or political leaders that were assassinated due to criticizing the government. Most of the oppressive regimes lack governing constitution and well written basic human rights laws that citizens can use to attain justice in the court of law (Fox & Roth, 2000). Even with a written constitution, oppressive regimes controls all major institutions of the regime like the court system, elections agency and security apparatus thus courts of law always rule in favor of the oppressive regime (Richards, 2004). Most of the oppressive regimes violate the “universal laws” that are essential in the society. Universal laws are natural laws and include the right and freedom of worship. Revolutionaries are justified in oppressive regimes if they are the last option to end the violation of human rights and the constitution of the country. For instance, American Revolution was justified since it ended injustice and culminated to enactment of US constitution that guaranteed civil liberties (Spielvogel, 2011). The American Revolution of 1777 ended centuries of British colonial rules and injustices to American people in most of North American colonies and led to the modern United States of America. The revolution led to drafting of the American constitution and the end of Stamp Duty that had been imposed by Great Britain which many people perceived to be unconstitutional (Habakkuk, 1976). The North Americans were agitated by lack of representation in Parliament. Positive changes occurred after the revolution since America became a liberal government that was governed by enlightenment ideology of equality and democracy (Skocpol, 1994). The French revolution (1789-1799) saw the collapse of absolute monarchy that had oppressed French for centuries. The French Revolution had political, economic and social causes since French society was divided in to three social classes and most people were denied their basic human rights (Habakkuk, 1976). Outdated traditions of religious authority and monarchy were overthrown by modern ideology based equality, human rights and citizenship (Spielvogel, 2011). After the final coup of 1799, the French government was guided by democratic ideals of liberty and fraternity thus it inspired many European countries like German that also placed limits on monarchies (Habakkuk, 1976). The nationalist ideology led to unification of German and Italy and increased participation of the middle class in politics and governance matters (Habakkuk, 1976). Latin American Revolutions were also influenced by enlightenment ideas. Latin American countries like Mexico, Chile, Bolivia and Cuba witnessed many revolutions that were geared at addressing injustices in land ownership (Richards, 2004). Most of Latin Americans were oppressed and struggled for social justice and equality. Mexican revolution of 1917 saw changes in laws and governance. Most of the Latin American revolutions led to independence from European control (Spielvogel, 2011). The Irish revolution saw a period of nationalist rebellion and guerilla wars that led to political changes and establish of just state in Ireland. The Russian revolution of 1917 ended Tsarist autocracy and led to the formation of the Soviet Union under a provisional government (Ingram, 2006). The revolution was marked by mutinies, demonstrations and strikes that led to fall of the oppressive regime after the country witnessed food shortages (Skocpol, 1994). Communists later improved the living conditions of the poor by providing sufficient food but failed to guarantee all citizens equality and equal political participation. The communists ended Russian involvement in World War 1 (Skocpol, 1994). The Chinese Revolution of 1949 that was led by Mao led to setting up a communist society. Mao regime led to the transformation of Chinese economy from agriculture to industrial society. The new regime provided peasants with free healthcare services. The regime also advocated for equality in the society (Skocpol, 1994). The civil rights movements of 1960s in the United States of America brought major reforms in politics and rule of law (Ingram, 2006). The movements ended racial segregation and led to enactment of Voting Rights Act that granted all citizens equality in voting rights. The movements led to enacted of Civil Rights Act of 1964 that prohibited discrimination in employment and education on the basis of color, ethnic origin and race (Skocpol, 1994). The movement was characterized by civil protest marches and civil boycotts and violation of segregation laws. The movement led to full citizenship rights for African-Americans and other minority groups in America. These revolutionary movements were the basis of modern human rights and equality in American society (Skocpol, 1994). The recent revolutionaries in Arab nations demonstrate that revolutions are the best method of effecting change in oppressive regimes. The recent uprisings and civil protests in Arab nations was occasioned by dictatorial leadership and human rights violations in countries like Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt and Yemen (Gelvin, 2012). The Tunisia revolution was occasioned by government corruption, high unemployment and lack of political freedom. The revolution led to ousting of long serving president Zine EL Abidine Ben Ali who fled to exile in Saudi Arabia (Gelvin, 2012). Egyptian revolution led to end of President Hosni Mubarak regime that had been characterized by police brutality, lack of political speech, economic crimes and absence of free elections (Gelvin, 2012). Though the constitution allowed for freedom of speech, the oppressive regime frequently raided and seized media houses and tortured individuals who criticized the government policies. President Mubarak monopolized the election process for more than thirty years by ensuring that no other candidate would participate in the elections (Gelvin, 2012). Libyan Revolution of 2011 was occasioned by dictatorship of Gaddafi who was a military ruler for more than 40 years. Libyan citizens protested against poor and dictatorial leadership, lack of freedom of expression and underdevelopment of the country despite the huge oil production (Gelvin, 2012). Syrian revolution was occasioned by human rights violations and soaring food prices. Morocco revolution and uprisings began with civil protests due to high illiteracy rates, social inequality and lack of civil freedoms and human rights (Gelvin, 2012). Conclusion Revolutionaries are the most effective method of effecting positive change in oppressive regimes that violate human rights. Oppressive regimes control courts of law and freedom of expression thus dialogues cannot end the injustice. Numerous revolutionaries like American Revolution and Arab uprisings led to democracy, equality and civil liberties in the society. Citizens are justified in engaging in civil protests and breaking the law in order to end injustices in oppressive regimes. The ruling government derives its mandate from the citizens thus its immediate priority should be to safeguard the interests and basic rights of the citizens. Citizens should be allowed the democratic right to criticize the government and vote new political government that safeguards their interests. References: Fox, G & Roth, B. (2000). Democratic governance and international law. New York. Cambridge University Press. Gelvin, J. (2012). The Arab uprisings: what everyone needs to know? New York. Oxford University Press. Grant, R. (1991). John Locke’s liberalism. Chicago. University of Chicago Press. Habakkuk, J. (1976). The American and French Revolutions: 1763-1793. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press. Ingram, D. (2006). Law. London. Continuum. Richards, M. (2004). Revolutions in world history. New York. Routledge. Skocpol, T. (1994). Social revolutions in the modern world. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press. Spielvogel, J. (2011). Western Civilization since 1300. New York. Wadsworth publications. Read More