Social Unrest
Definition
Social unrest is characterized by widespread dissatisfaction with current social or political institutions leading to protests, strikes, riots etc., often resulting in significant change.
Analogy
Consider social unrest like an erupting volcano. The magma (people's dissatisfaction) builds up over time under the surface until it can't be contained anymore and erupts (protests, strikes), causing significant changes to the landscape (society).
Related terms
Civil Disobedience: This is a nonviolent form of protest in which people deliberately break certain laws to express their opposition.
Revolution: This is a fundamental and often sudden change in political power or organizational structures that takes place when the population revolts against the government.
Social Movements: These are organized efforts by large numbers of people to bring about or impede social, political, economic, or cultural change.
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