Do you believe demonstrations are responsible for changes in government policies?

Question

I think they have an insignificant effect on decisions, but demonstrating makes us feel good because of all that fresh air, camaraderie, and a feeling of being part of the action.

Answer 1

It does not do much for furthering your cause, but thank God for some who stand up for what they believe!

Answer 2

Yes, demonstrations affect government policies. The best example I can give you is the Vietnam War. People were for it, Congress was throwing money at it, and we won every battle we fought against the North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong. Then came the protesters. They started complaining about the war, the draft, the politicians, and the president. The politicians are very attuned to the way the political winds are blowing. Congress cut off the money to the war. Henry Kissinger went to the peace talks and ended the war by giving away all of South Vietnam to North Vietnam and now only Communist Vietnam exists. We won every battle but lost the war because of demonstrations increasing in size and reporters showing them on TV and in Newspapers. Vietnam was the first televised war. It almost got like I Love Lucy. It was on every night and people got tired of watching it. So thanks to demonstrations, Congress, and Henry Kissinger 50,000 brave men and women died for nothing.

Answer 3

Demonstrations are organized by political groups to show their presence or strength. They know very well that they can not force the Govt. to change policies.

Answer 4

I wholeheartedly agree with you.

You'll noticed that 99% of those protests are engineered by the "outraged" left.

Answer 5

I do not think they directly affect the decision making of those in power, but I do think that they get publicity for an issue and bring like-minded people together.   The positive effects may be indirect.

Answer 6

Yes - well run demonstrations that have a focus (not a thousand fringe throw-in, add-on causes just to get a couple of more scraggly people to show up).

One thing, could you'all take a bath and use some deodorant before you show up?  I  know this is a big request for some of you, but this little act of kindness would do a lot to make the event a whole lot more pleasant for those of us who bathe on a regular basis, and have to smell you.  

This last point is personally appreciated by your local law enforcement if you are arrested for civil disobedience and you need to be frisked.  That 'hippie smell' gives everyone one heck of a headache, and one feels the need to wash the hands after being around you.

Answer 7

That is their purpose

Answer 8

protesters did not stop the missiles from arriving at Bangor Washington. but they did put a halt to a scheduled time sequence.

protesting something has a place in that it makes others who are unaware or do not care stop and reflect upon the issue.

if you really want to effect change, voice it with your letter or a petition of `1,000 names to a candidate or house or senate person. believe me you have more power when it comes to change then we think we do.

Answer 9

Now they will use a Taser on you. Throw you in jail, call you a terrorist. And all of this from saying your piece from a Free Speech Zone. Where no policy makers will hear or see you.

Answer 10

Gandhi said "The purpose of protest is to provoke a response."  If this is true then most of todays' protests are purposeless.

I do not think this means protesting is meaningless. Protests are VERY important. We have just forgotten how to conduct effective protests.

Answer 11

A lot of the times when government are making policies they forget about the every day Joe, what will benefit them or to help them. All they think about is feathering their nest and how to make the rich richer.They forget about the everyday person who works to keep business open, the corner store,boutiques,nurses,teachers, person that maintains roads,mums,builder,mechanics,factory worker etc. What gripes me is men they want to make more money for share holders etc the little man loses his job what about the higher archery that earns the huge money shouldn't they go first. the little man keeps the business going and makes the money for the owner/s. When do the polices make you are part of the fresh air,camaraderie and part of the action, it is for greed not often to help the average Joe

Answer 12

Yes, It worked back in the days of the civil rights movement.

Answer 13

your right, these demonstrations have no clout at all. Your government believes they are above and beyond wrong doings and care less about the citizens of there country. They are only concerned with keeping us under the microscope and being in complete charge

Answer 14

Assuming a single causality for government policy is like assuming a single causality for winning the lottery; no such thing.  An event that tips the balance between yes and no for a policy proposition could be attributed to demonstration, like the labor union movement. Democracy is moved by numbers of people who agree upon a proposition for action. The probability that the proposition is the moving factor for a government administration is equal to the probability that it is the number who demonstrate their support for it.

The Will is positive, the Judgment is negative.

Answer 15

Demonstrations done for a right cause and in proper way helps in building public opinion.

And it is public ultimately who decides the government

Answer 16

It has no effect on policy in the long run. You are correct about the camaraderie, but only in the sense that it gives those w nothing to say something to yell about. Many of the "activists" are desperate to get out of their parents' basements and do anything that will give them even a temporary feeling of belonging. Even a hint of being important. A whiff of meaning for their lives. They follow whatever cause/crowd seems most popular in their isolated little world. Yet these, (typically), are the same people who stay away in droves come election day. When age, income, and all other factors are studied, these are the people who vote least. Why is that?