Demonstrations Follow

The protests around the globe may not be a coordinated wave, but they share long-term roots, writes Joseph Choonara.

Extinction Rebellion places non-violent resistance at the heart of its strategy, and looks to claims made by US academics Erica Chenoweth and Maria Stephen that just 3.5 percent of a population can topple a dictator. Sue Caldwell applauds XR’s actions, but questions the conclusions its claims can lead to.

An argument has developed on the left regarding the effectiveness of so-called “A to B marches”. A critique, articulated by some activists on the left, argues that the cycle of annual anti-austerity demonstrations has failed, and counterposes “more radical” actions, such as occupations, direct action and community organising. Why has this developed? The past five...