Professional paper

Characteristics and Problems of Civil Disobedience Theories

Igor Bezinović

Abstract

This paper presents civil disobedience as a desirable form of participation and as a moral duty of citizens in civil society. According to the definition of civil disobedience, the protests must be non-violent and public, and disobedient individuals must accept the legal sanctions, considering the fact that the aim of disobedience is the establishment of just laws, not anarchy. It is pointed out that civil disobedience is legitimate in a democratic regime only if the principle of equal liberty or the principle of equality of opportunity are being violated, and if the rules set by the definition are being obeyed. The paper is concluded by questioning the statement that the civil protests of the minority which tend to keep the society just should be legalized.

Keywords

civil disobedience; civil society; participation; justice; non-violence; legislature; legitimacy

Hrčak ID:

179057

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/179057

Publication date:

1.12.2003.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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