Political unrest is a state of social and political instability characterized by protests, strikes and violence. It is usually triggered by economic factors that undermine people’s quality of life and faith in the government, but it can also be driven by other issues such as corruption, inequality and authoritarianism.
In this article, we explore the impact of absurdism in a period of political unrest and its effects on characters’ sense of helplessness in a society that seems to have no place for them. We examine the film El hombre que se convirtió en perro as an example of a narrative form that reflects these feelings. We then analyze the impact of economic and social inequality on the lives of individuals and communities. Finally, we discuss strategies for reducing political unrest.
Inequality is a major cause of political unrest. For example, high utility bills, low wages, and measly pensions can aggravate citizens’ sense of marginalization. In addition, the gap between what they feel they deserve compared to what they can actually achieve often drives people into rebellion. Ted Robert Gurr’s relative deprivation theory is one way to understand this phenomenon. However, governments can take steps to reduce inequality by implementing policies that promote economic growth, reduce poverty, and provide equality of opportunity for men and women. They can also help to prevent the spread of extremist ideologies by supporting community-based organizations that reach out to fractious communities. Finally, they can improve police accountability and fairness by training officers in de-escalation tactics and improving intelligence collection and sharing about domestic threats.
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