Political unrest is a state of social and political instability marked by protests, strikes or violence that can threaten people’s safety or faith in the government. It often stems from ongoing dissatisfaction and agitation with government actions or policies that contribute to inequality, corruption, or political repression. It can have a profound impact on the daily lives of citizens, and may trigger broader economic instability and high levels of poverty.
The resurgence of identity-based politics along racial and ideological lines has contributed to the current global political unrest, as has growing economic insecurity. In addition, the proliferation of false narratives and conspiracy theories on social media can deepen divisions and stoke fears of impending doom. The result is a resurgence of us-versus-them sentiments that can lead to the rise of right-wing populist movements and xenophobic violence.
Prolonged civil unrest can have ripple effects on everyday life, including public transit, business and school hours, and access to food and shelter. Travelers can prepare for possible political unrest by ensuring that they understand local laws and respect curfews, and having contingency plans for how to get around or find safe places to stay. It’s also important to keep abreast of news reports and social media to be aware of what’s happening in their destination countries so that they can recognize and respond to potential warning signs.
There is no one commonly used definition for the term ‘political unrest’, and related terms such as riot, terrorism and protest are widely but not exclusively understood to be non-state actors (Kalyvas 2000). However, various human rights monitoring mechanisms, particularly those based on UN Charter-based international law, are relevant to contexts where political unrest may occur and can help identify early warning signs.
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