The rise of discontent

In the past 90 days there have been at least 11 demonstrations/rallies in as many countries all over the world. Aside from the Hong Kong strikes that have been going on every weekend, and now on its fifth month, there are recurring demos in Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Iraq, Lebanon, Venezuela, and Barcelona. There were also short-lived rallies in Moscow, London, and some African countries. And the one-day worldwide demonstrations against governments for their climate change inaction last month.

The spark that triggered these activist actions were varied and disparate. In Hong Kong it was the proposed extradition law which has now expanded to four other demands that includes a real independent legislature, police brutality investigations, and more civil liberties. In the Latin American countries, it was the removal of fuel subsidies or the increase in transit fares. In Lebanon and Middle East countries, it was the lack of job opportunities, inadequate public services, and graft and corruption in the governments. The insignificant or minor trigger is just the excuse for starting the demonstrations, but the deeper causes are really economic, social, and political which concerns the young people, the 18 to 40 years old, who are initiating/dominating these activities.

The undelivered promises of governments, especially populist and authoritarian governments is fueling dissatisfaction in the current state of affairs. Access to the World Wide Web and the internet made the youth aware of the disparities of their conditions with other countries in terms of economic opportunities and liberties. These inequalities embolden them as their present conditions are incomparable and unacceptable. It is about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that they see in other countries.

The conduct of these demonstrations and rallies have been aided by IT technology. The seeming leaderless activities are really coordinated by shifting and mobile command centers. Locations and actions are managed and relayed in real time via mobile phones, and photos are uploaded also in real time to the participants and to the world media. Internet shutdown is the counteraction of some governments, but this is counterproductive as it affects the whole population and creates more sympathy for the rallyists. Now, there are even moves for the Latin American demonstrators to link with their Hong Kong counterparts. It is obvious that these current group of demonstrators are not the uneducated peasants of the Middle Ages, but well-informed, tech-savvy young people who are out to take their proper role and share of the world.

What lessons and conclusions can be made of this rise of discontent among the young of the world? First, it will not disappear anytime soon as it is not seasonal but cyclical depending on the country economics and politics. Next, public governance will be more difficult for politicians as people will be more demanding of their leaders and will hold them accountable. Then, repression and violent government response will be unacceptable and generate more dissent, and will get world condemnation as it is broadcast and replayed in all media all over the world. The solution is really to address legitimate issues. Hong Kong has withdrawn the extradition bill, Bolivia and Chile have restored the subsidies and reduced transport rates, and Brexit is still hanging. Hopefully graft and corruption will also be attended.

I am really amazed at the audacity and boldness of these young people, and their willingness to sacrifice even their lives. It must be because if they have nothing to look forward to, they have nothing to lose. Welcome to the Brave New World of the young. Godspeed.