Do Protests Still Work?
Controversy, crowds and a six meter high balloon of President Trump as a baby: Are protests a vital part of the drama of democracy or a relic of an analogue age?
Donald Trump has arrived in England but he's not getting the red carpet treatment a US president might expect. Big protests are planned in London, featuring a march to Trafalgar Square and a six metre high balloon of Donald Trump as a snarling orange baby. The protests may let people vent their feelings about the US president’s controversial style and policies, but few expect much change as a result. So, while protests still occupy a prominent place in the drama of democracy, do they really achieve anything anymore?
How have cultural forces and social media changed the way protests are organised? And can non-violent protests still force elected politicians to change?
Presenter: Ritula Shah
Last on
More episodes
Previous
Contributors
L.A. Kauffman - the author of 'Direct Action: Protest and the Invention of American Radicalism'
David Graeber - Professor at the London School of Economics
Fatima Shabodien - Country Director of Action Aid South Africa
Dana Fisher - Professor of Sociology at the University of Maryland
Also featuring:
Kevin Smith - One of the creators of 'Trump baby balloon'
Salah Mustafa - Former Tahrir square protesterÂ
Photo
Six metre Trump Baby balloon by Getty Images/Andrew Aitchison.
Broadcasts
- Fri 13 Jul 2018 08:06GMTÂ鶹ÊÓƵAV World Service except News Internet
- Fri 13 Jul 2018 17:06GMTÂ鶹ÊÓƵAV World Service Australasia
- Fri 13 Jul 2018 23:06GMTÂ鶹ÊÓƵAV World Service except News Internet
- Sat 14 Jul 2018 03:06GMTÂ鶹ÊÓƵAV World Service except Australasia & News Internet
The Real Story Podcast
Subscribe via your favourite podcast app...
Podcast
-
![]()
The Real Story
Global experts and decision makers discuss, debate and analyse a key news story.
