Political unrest is a state of public dissatisfaction and agitation over government policies, which can lead to protests or other forms of organized civil disobedience. It can be a sign of societal instability, especially when it’s linked to issues like poverty, corruption, and racial inequality.
Economic factors are a major driver of political unrest. When wealth is disproportionately distributed, marginalized groups feel excluded from the political process and denied access to the benefits of national growth, increasing their frustrations and fueling the potential for violence. Unemployment also contributes to political unrest, especially when it is high. When people don’t have incomes or opportunities to improve their lives, they lose faith in the capacity of government institutions to address their needs and concerns.
Prolonged political unrest can affect things like public transit, business hours, and access to social services. Be prepared for these effects by having contingency plans for where you can work or study and how to get essentials like food, water, and shelter if you’re caught in an area with political unrest.
A growing mismatch between what governments promise and deliver raises the risk of political volatility and threatens democracy. But political violence can be reduced if leaders insist on nonviolence; voting systems dampen extremism; communities organize across differences against violence; and activists advocate for peaceful means of protest. This is the only way to avoid a new chapter in America’s history of political unrest.