Political unrest can take the form of protests, strikes, and violence. It is triggered by economic, social, and political factors that undermine people’s quality of life and faith in their government. These factors can include economic inequality, corruption, and political repression.
In addition, climate change is a driver of civil unrest as it impacts communities through droughts and water shortages. This, in turn, can exacerbate existing tensions and fuel mistrust of government agencies. Furthermore, the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories through social media is a major contributing factor to political unrest as it feeds xenophobia and hate, and stokes fears.
Other drivers of political unrest include the normalization of polarization and the use of violence to achieve political goals by extreme political parties. Moreover, authoritarianism, in which the state centralizes power and suppresses freedom of speech and assembly, is another leading cause of political unrest.
In order to prevent political unrest, countries should address economic inequality by implementing policies that promote economic growth and reduce poverty and provide equal opportunities for men and women. They should also reduce corruption and improve transparency, and they should ensure that voters have access to the polls and that there are peaceful transitions of power. During periods of political unrest, it is important for citizens to stay informed by following reliable news sources and taking precautions against possible threats to their safety. They should also prepare contingency plans, including how to get around and what supplies to have on hand if there is an extended period of civil unrest.