The question is can violence ever be the answer? I am of course talking in reference to the students protest to increased tuition fees and cuts to higher education spending which burst into violence yesterday. In wars and revolts violence may well be the answer when you can kill your opposition then install a government of your own design in the place of the current incumbent. But can a government realistically give in to violence. The answer is of course no, ever if there were people in the government who supported the students I believe that their violent eruption will lead to them losing support from those in power. You cannot give into violence when you are in a position of power otherwise it sets a precedent for all others to come.
I would never claim that the protest turned riot is anywhere near as bad as terrorism, but it does have similar tenants. Much like we cannot give into to terrorist threats and intimidation the government cannot now change its mind on tuition fees without looking like it was coerced. Peaceful protests can change societal views and political policies and wars can also do the same, however rioting and threats of violence just loses support from the public and steels the government on their course.
I feel sorry for the protestors who went about their demonstration peacefully as the minority who started wrecking Millibank tower will likely have done irreparable damage to your cause. But maybe I’m wrong. Do you think violence like in the protests yesterday can ever be the answer?
No comments:
Post a Comment