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Since the beginning of the global economic crisis, international media has been covering the popular unrest, often resulting in multiple protests and violent rioting.
Last year, citizens in peripheral countries such as India, Egypt, Mexico, the Philippines, and Yemen, rioted over the skyrocketing prices of energy and food. Discontentment with government led to the protests-turned-riots in Tibet and months-long chaos in Thailand that, when the dust settled, gave birth to a "new" regime.
In the past few months, the wave of social upheaval has spread from the poorer countries on the periphery to the more prosperous core in the heart of Europe:
* Since December, Greece has witnessed consistent rioting over the police shooting of a teenager, which fused with general concerns over the economy. Thousands of farmers recently blockaded main roads, cutting off access to highways that linked Greece to other countries.
* Iceland's debt-burdened economy has greatly suffered. Disappointment over official handling of the crisis led to months of popular demonstrations, resulting in the resignation of Prime Minister Geir Haarde on January 26th.
* In Latvia, a January 13th protest turned violent, becoming the worst riot the country had seen since breaking free from the Soviet Union. Farmers picketed the agricultural ministry, delivering severed cows' heads to the minister who has since resigned. The government has responded to the economic crisis by slashing public spending and raising taxes, creating more social tension.
* France had a crippling nation-wide strike on January 29th that protested against the government's "inadequate response" to the crisis.
* Bulgarians held a rally on February 4th, a follow-up to their January protest-turned-riot.
* Despite threats, thousands of Russians attended rallies in Moscow and Vladivostok, demanding the government to resign over the economic crisis.
* In China, rioting by unemployed factory workers in the city of Guangdong and other areas have been suppressed.
People are beginning to speculate why citizens of the United States are not joining the rest of the world and hitting the streets in anger. To be sure, Americans of all social and economic classes have been struck by the economic crisis, and are furious. There is a difference between the political culture of Europeans and Americans - Europeans tend to protest over minor things in order to enact change, whereas Americans usually wait for big issues that the government refuses to address.
Some claim that Americans sense that it is pointless to rebel, or that the government has been suppressing the protest movement. In my opinion, Americans have faith (that is now shaken) in the political system and capitalism, and that many are blinded by their hope that the new Obama Administration can change things.
Protests and riots usually happen when expectations are not met and there is a gap between rhetoric and reality. If Obama's promises are not fulfilled, that is when Americans will hit the streets in frustration. When the public perceives corruption, the likely result is social unrest.
As an activist who has been involved in protests, I am curiously watching the increasing social unrest and the rise in the number of citizens mobilizing against their governments. I am also keeping an eye on the analysis of these incidents, and the responses of the governments.
Last year, citizens in peripheral countries such as India, Egypt, Mexico, the Philippines, and Yemen, rioted over the skyrocketing prices of energy and food. Discontentment with government led to the protests-turned-riots in Tibet and months-long chaos in Thailand that, when the dust settled, gave birth to a "new" regime.
In the past few months, the wave of social upheaval has spread from the poorer countries on the periphery to the more prosperous core in the heart of Europe:
* Since December, Greece has witnessed consistent rioting over the police shooting of a teenager, which fused with general concerns over the economy. Thousands of farmers recently blockaded main roads, cutting off access to highways that linked Greece to other countries.
* Iceland's debt-burdened economy has greatly suffered. Disappointment over official handling of the crisis led to months of popular demonstrations, resulting in the resignation of Prime Minister Geir Haarde on January 26th.
* In Latvia, a January 13th protest turned violent, becoming the worst riot the country had seen since breaking free from the Soviet Union. Farmers picketed the agricultural ministry, delivering severed cows' heads to the minister who has since resigned. The government has responded to the economic crisis by slashing public spending and raising taxes, creating more social tension.
* France had a crippling nation-wide strike on January 29th that protested against the government's "inadequate response" to the crisis.
* Bulgarians held a rally on February 4th, a follow-up to their January protest-turned-riot.
* Despite threats, thousands of Russians attended rallies in Moscow and Vladivostok, demanding the government to resign over the economic crisis.
* In China, rioting by unemployed factory workers in the city of Guangdong and other areas have been suppressed.
People are beginning to speculate why citizens of the United States are not joining the rest of the world and hitting the streets in anger. To be sure, Americans of all social and economic classes have been struck by the economic crisis, and are furious. There is a difference between the political culture of Europeans and Americans - Europeans tend to protest over minor things in order to enact change, whereas Americans usually wait for big issues that the government refuses to address.
Some claim that Americans sense that it is pointless to rebel, or that the government has been suppressing the protest movement. In my opinion, Americans have faith (that is now shaken) in the political system and capitalism, and that many are blinded by their hope that the new Obama Administration can change things.
Protests and riots usually happen when expectations are not met and there is a gap between rhetoric and reality. If Obama's promises are not fulfilled, that is when Americans will hit the streets in frustration. When the public perceives corruption, the likely result is social unrest.
As an activist who has been involved in protests, I am curiously watching the increasing social unrest and the rise in the number of citizens mobilizing against their governments. I am also keeping an eye on the analysis of these incidents, and the responses of the governments.