therightofprotest.docVIP

THE RIGHT OF PROTEST: RESPONSES TO THE FRANKLIN BLOCKADE by Claire Runciman Department of Sociology Australian National University 2. Introduction Since the Franklin Blockade we have seen in Australia a series of non-violent direct actions, which I believe is likely to continue. There are two obvious causes of this, each of which reinforces the other. Both are related to the current crisis in world capitalism. The first is cynicism engendered by governments which, because they must appeal to a majority, are unable to take a stand any of the particular issues which are of importance to their electorate.2 The second cause is that Western democracies have experienced a prolonged period of economic, expansion, followed by a sharp reversal in recession. This has created a situation of high aspirations combined with few opportunities. These are the conditions under which civil disturbance is likely to increase.3 Democratic governments are responding to the resultant civil disobedience in a variety of ways. The increasing frequency of protest creates a context in which the notion of rights is likely to come into question. Herbert Marcuse4 argues that such rights in a liberal democracy constitute a system of repressive tolerance such that protest is confined to reformist, single issue campaigns. Protest which is aimed at fundamental change is not tolerated. When discussing the right to protest then, it is important to remember that this is a 3. such as freedom of speech, the right to defend oneself through the due process of law; political rights - the right to participate in the exercise of political power, as a member of a political party or organisation, or as part of the electorate; and social rights - the right to economic support which- enables people to live according to the standards prevailing in their society. The right of protest is a political right, which is only possible when basic civil rights exist. Michael Frayn6 points to some of the difficulties peo