While peaceful protests are a cornerstone of global democracy and help people voice their concerns about issues like discrimination, climate change, or unfair laws, political unrest can escalate into situations that affect safety and public order. This can include bodily injury or damage to property from altercations between dissatisfied parties or from law enforcement intervention.
Unrest can be caused by a variety of factors including economic instability or significant policy changes, corruption, and political repression. The combination of these issues can lead to social injustice, which in turn drives identity politics and leads to racial or ideological clashes that can lead to violence.
Another common cause of political unrest is a lack of economic opportunity. This often stems from a combination of factors, including unequal distribution of wealth and power, the concentration of assets in a few hands, and the erosion of middle-class jobs. According to a theory known as relative deprivation, the gap between what people feel they deserve compared with their ability to achieve those things is one of the main reasons why people rebel against oppressive regimes and governments.
The best way to prepare for civil unrest is to stay informed and aware of the underlying causes. This includes reading the International SOS destination guides (available in the Assistance App and member portal), reviewing Amnesty International’s and the State Department’s country reports on human rights practices, and checking Harvard GSS risk ratings frequently, as prolonged unrest can prompt a higher rating and additional pre-departure requirements for students.