Purposes of Political Disobedience

Abstract

The purposes of political disobedience can be most usefully categorised by reference to whether they are directed towards securing changes in the operation of the law or policy of the government, the law or policy itself, a change of government, an alteration of the political system, or a transformation of society. These purposes are not necessarily exclusive of each other, since one purpose may well include another or lead on to another. But problems of a quite different order are raised by political disobedience directed solely against a particular law or its application on the one hand, and disobedience directed against the government or the political or social system on the other. Since in the former case the authority of the government, as the body responsible for dealing with acts of political disobedience, is not in question, it is possible for the government if it so wishes to discuss the law-breakers’ demands and even to make concessions rather than resort to force and oppression. In the second case what we have is an open declaration of war on the government or the system supporting it which can only be settled by capitulation or suppression. Much depends on the form of political disobedience undertaken and the nature of the government and political system one is dealing with.