protest

is intended to advertise the fact that a government is ignoring the interests of some segment of the population (which is not limited to that segment active in protest). Ignoring the protest confirms it.

The purpose of protest (and civil disobedience, etc) is to advertise that fact that a government is ignoring the interests of some segment of the population (which is not limited to that segment active in protest). Ignoring the protest confirms it. The success of protest depends on the balances of interests. For example, protests against whale hunting have been (largely) successful because the the benefits of whaling are limited. In societies where the benefits of whaling are widely distributed then protests are (and have been) less successful.. Other protests are concerned with changing things that are much more deeply embedded (e.g., slavery). And some protests are met with widespread condemnation (e.g., movements against the mistreatment of convicts). The Occupy movement is concerned with changing a financial system biased in favour of the wealthy (which includes most legislators). If enough people become aware that their interests would benefit from changes suggested by protesters then things will change. It's all a matter of how the protest is (politically) marketed.

Vilnis KruminsThinkers

Vilnis Krumins