How Does Peaceful Resistance To Laws Affect Society

Peaceful resistance to laws positively affects society. By following a law one agrees with it. For the most part laws are just and by following them one can contribute positively to society, but there are unjust laws. By following an unjust law simply to prevent personal harm one is agreeing to the terms of the law. In agreeing to the law it is strengthened and others are more likely to follow. It is in this way that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (Luther) due to the ease with which few become many and widespread. In the case that a government becomes abusive or unjust the population must resist the implementation of oppressive laws, for “an unjust law is no law at all” (Luther).

In a completely corrupt government there is little room for negotiation, and extreme measures are taken to ensure success, but violence is not necessary in
The most effective way to communicate with the government is through peaceful resistance. It shows that the protestors understand that the government has made a mistake and that they are willing to negotiate. The struggle for equality led by Martin Luther King Jr. was made to reflect the goals he wished to achieve. He wanted civil rights, so he protested through civil disobedience. Though it was an arduous journey the end result was the passage of several civil rights acts that significantly advanced the rights of minority groups. (Constitutional Amendments) The peaceful resistance of MLK resulted in a positive social change in the US, and that is a testament to the power of non-violence. More recently there has been a wave of nonviolent protests in Guatemala that have led to the resignation a corrupt government official. Guatemala has a