ON CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE BY OMAR KHALED RUMI

Henry David Thoreau, undoubtedly, one of the most acclaimed political scientists over the last few centuries. Among his works CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE may be considered as one of the most notable works. In his book what he said about two centuries ago is still relevant today. He mentioned non-cooperation, non-violence as the most effective weapon against any Government. This is the gist of CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE.

After Second World War the political scenario of the world had been changed. The map of the world got a new dimension whether it is rational or not. The new wave of the change touched every nook and corner of the world. From Africa to Asia via Latin America, the whole world got a tremendous experience. Till now the world is enjoying this so called undisputed paradigm.

The situation is going to be changed gradually. The Middle East crisis shapes the new world order. The famous Political Scientist Samuel P. Huntington in his notable work “The Clash of Civilization” mentioned it earlier. But clash can not be the solution. Mahatma Gandhi said, “An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.”

According to Henry David Thoreau, civil disobedience may be the appropriate solution. If we really want to get a real change in the Government silent protest may be the best weapon that has a long lasting effect and deep pouring action towards the root of the society as well as towards the root of the discontents. The whole world should not only learn it but also apply it practically.

At the time of Second World War Mahatma Gandhi offered England not to involve in the war but to sacrifice their life in front of the Nazi anarchists. Though it seems some vague words apparently but it is true that if such an event occurred the destruction might be ever lesser than happened.

What we find if we observe the present scenario of the world. Protest or domination, whatever it is, is happening through the way of violence. But it is not the right way of solution. The condition is deteriorating day by day and the enmity among different sects of the people is increasing. It is clearly the opposition of humanity. This growing rage is must be the highest threat than poverty, illiteracy and malnutrition issue.

Thoreau’s importance is clearer from the write up of Thoreau Reader:

“While Walden can be applied to almost anyone's life, "Civil Disobedience" is like a venerated architectural landmark: it is preserved and admired, and sometimes visited, but for most of us there are not many occasions when it can actually be used. Still, although seldom mentioned without references to Gandhi or King, "Civil Disobedience" has more history than many suspect. In the 1940's it was read by the Danish resistance, in the 1950's it was cherished by those who opposed McCarthyism, in the 1960's it was influential in the struggle against South African apartheid, and in the 1970's it was discovered by a new generation of anti-war activists. The lesson learned from all this experience is that Thoreau's ideas really do work, just as he imagined they would.”

We also can present some more comments from various famous geniuses:

Henry Thoreau and 'Civil Disobedience' - by Wendy McElroy - "Americans know Thoreau primarily as the author of Walden, but it is 'Civil Disobedience' that established his reputation in the wider political world. It is one of the most influential political tracts ever written by an American."

The Theory, Practice, and Influence of Thoreau's 'Civil Disobedience' - by Lawrence Rosenwald - "The essay is individualist, secular, anarchist, elitist and anti-democratic; but it has influenced persons of great religious devotion, leaders of collective campaigns, and members of resistance movements."

Did Thoreau change his mind? Because this essay is often associated with passive civil disobedience, some have assumed that Thoreau's support of John Brown was a change from his earlier position. But Michael J. Frederick, in "Transcendental Ethos: Thoreau’s Philosophy & Antebellum Reform," explains why this was not the case.

Finally, I want to add this note:

"Civil Disobedience" originated as a Concord Lyceum lecture delivered on January 26, 1848. It was published as "Resistance to Civil Government," in May of 1849, in Elizabeth Peabody's Aesthetic Papers, a short-lived periodical that never managed a second issue. The modern title comes from A Yankee in Canada, with Anti-Slavery and Reform Papers, an 1866 collection of Thoreau's work. It's not known if Thoreau ever used the term "civil disobedience."

In fine we can conclude that Henry David Thoreau and his CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE is still relevant. No one can avoid it.