Political unrest describes a state of social and political instability characterized by protests, strikes, violence, and other civil disobedience. It can be triggered by economic, social or political factors that undermine people’s quality of life and faith in their government. This can lead to a loss of foreign investment, loss of jobs, and a decline in the value of a country’s currency. Those factors can then fuel further discontent, creating a cycle of political and economic instability.
A political unrest can be violent or nonviolent and it may involve a coalition of groups, one group, or an individual leader. Generally, it is a response to the perception of injustice and/or inequality within a society or government. It may also be a result of disillusionment with current major-party options and a desire to bring about change.
A key aspect of political unrest is the ability of competing groups to mobilize resources (time, money, organizational skills, and social and political opportunities) to take action against a government or other entity perceived as a threat to their community. This theory, known as the relative deprivation theory, explains why some people feel they must resort to violent actions against oppressive systems that threaten their well-being. Often, people feel they are being treated unfairly and that there is no other way to express their concerns. In some cases, people believe that their government is corrupt and that it is exploiting them. This can lead to civil unrest and a loss of faith in the government and its officials.
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