Rarely do the institutions not attract criticism, and history has unfortunately taught mankind that to seek major change against the establishment and its policies takes committed protest, which has resulted in violence when nothing changes.
Aah but that does not qualify violence as the necessary motivator for change Lizzie as violence is never a one time deal - so the efficacy of it really must be questioned
It is not necessarily an attempt to bring down the institutions, but an real commitment to change that can escalate into violence by the minority with a penchant for such direct action, which has been witnessed throughout history. That constant threat of 'Revolution' has actually led to the clever and astute governments of the day to gradually give the protesters just enough to meet their demands to stave off a full bloody revolution. Without the protests initially (say of the Chartists of 1838-48) we would not enjoy so many of the rights we enjoy today. We would still be peasants without voting rights, and giving our all to the all powerful Church and aristocracy
The trouble is Lizzie many people who are predisposed to come out onto the streets to protest student fees (in this case), global financial arrangements, green issues and so on do seem to have the desire to bring the 'establishment' down, as they perceive it as being the prime mover in maintaining matters surrounding such issues.
Constant revolution will always come about through better education better technology as so on. Such change is inevitable, it doesn't have to be generated through violence - yes in history many changes have occurred as a result of specific violence but there can be no direct correlation that suggests violence was the sole reason.
Another problem lies with the state of perceived freedoms and equality open to many people around the globe today. The great power of church and state may have dwindled in relation to what it was but the masses have new masters in control of power now and while we in the West have a degree of freedom, we will never have the unfettered freedom that comes with true equality as we have simply switched one set of masters for another.
So there may have been change wrought by violence at various points in history but can it be said with conviction that this change would not have occurred as part of the normal social arc of a maturing society.
You underestimate Zulu the ability of the young to grasp and understand complex political situatiions, and desire to participate in society to the full. Singerly they may not win against their wiser elders, but together they can force change, and certainly via the ballot box. They certainly will hit the Lib-Dems heavily at the next general election over their broken promises, which has taught a whole generation not to trust any politician or have respect for so called "elders and betters".
Your confidence in the ability of young people to exist in the way you mention is admirable Lizzie and I, for one, would wish that to be true but there seems to be a disturbing indication of evidence to the contrary - judging by the quality of opinion expressed by many of those involved in the recent disturbances - and these young people have had the benefit of a supposedly sound modern education.
Many young people, irrespective of education, live in the here and now, stimulated by their peers and the environment they exist in - that’s what being young is all about. Therefore, by extension, many are not thinking about weightier matters or other things connected with the strategic direction of the society they inhabit. Yes many will come to realise that it's time to shape-up or ship-out but that comes about through the time and tested method of growing and learning through natural development, violence isn't necessary in this process.
Oh yes, if the British (and German) people had fully known on television screens that we "lost 60,000 men yesterday, and today we lost another 60,000, for a few yards of land under the policy of General Haig" it would have come to an end. The Afghanistan War is by comparison a tea party, but even so growing constanation about the losses and purpose of the action has produced a clear Government policy of bringing them all home in 2015.
Well that point has to be debatable Lizzie as one can't apply the criteria of how this society is capable of adjudicating such matters to any other point in history as the people and social/political environment are vastly different.
Insofar as Afghanistan is concerned (as events in theatre seem to suggest that this conflict remains active) I seem to remember the then Defence Secretary assuring the nation that the first troop contingent destined there would be able to complete the mission 'without a shot being fired' so you’ll forgive me if I doubt that this timetable is the definitive one. The regional structures exist in too volatile an environment to believe that success or otherwise will fall there anytime soon.
Most will grow up to to upstanding citizens, just like we have Zulu!
Does that negate the need for such violence then Lizzie?
Tell that to the Chartists who brought about eventual change, or the trade unionists within their ranks who eventually won the legal right to exist, or the Suffergettes who won the right to vote via direct action. Throughout history our future has been developed around war and violence, such is mankinds natural ways. Could WW2 been settled without extreme violence?
Iniquitous inequality remains throughout the world irrespective of what has gone before. Mankind has failed to seize the opportunity presented by such violent upheaval - we couldn't have in any case because it's in our nature not to.
Author
Topic: rioting students (Read 6814 times)