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Social Unrest

Definition

Social unrest refers to a state of dissatisfaction or discontent within a society due to various socio-economic or political factors. It often involves protests, demonstrations, strikes, or other forms of collective action aimed at expressing grievances or demanding change.

Analogy

Think of social unrest as a "boiling pot" where all the ingredients are mixed together but not yet reaching their boiling point. The pot symbolizes society, while the ingredients represent different issues such as inequality, injustice, or economic hardships. When heated enough (social unrest), the mixture starts bubbling up with people voicing their concerns.

Related terms

French Revolution: An influential period of radical social and political upheaval in France from 1789 to 1799. It was driven by widespread social unrest fueled by inequality and led to significant changes in government structures.

Industrial Revolution: A major socioeconomic transformation that occurred during the late 18th to early 19th century. It marked a shift from agrarian-based economies to industrialized societies, leading to significant societal changes and growing social inequalities.

Proletariat: Refers to the working class individuals who do not own means of production but instead sell their labor for wages. This term is commonly associated with Marxist theories regarding class struggle and exploitation.