A rise in political unrest often signals that people are frustrated with their government’s performance and believe it is inefficient or corrupt. This can lead to a cycle of violence and destabilize the country. It’s important to know the signs that indicate that a country is at risk of civil unrest so you can stay informed and be prepared.
The causes of political unrest vary from place to place, but the most common are economic. People may protest over high fuel and food prices, or reforms that reduce their incomes. Economic inequality is another source of political unrest, especially when citizens feel they are not getting enough benefit from their nation’s economic prosperity. Corruption can also cause people to lose faith in their government, especially when officials use their positions for personal gain.
Whether or not there is a direct causal link between corruption and political unrest, many countries have seen a spike in public unrest during the pandemic. The IMF’s Reported Social Unrest Index, which measures media mentions of words associated with unrest, rose sharply throughout the year before the pandemic, reflecting large protests in Chile and other parts of Latin America; in Ethiopia as inter-ethnic tensions grew; and in Brazil, where anti-government demonstrations escalated into rioting. These protests were triggered by concrete issues such as subway fare increases and new rules on WhatsApp calls, but they reflected deeper concerns about government performance. These issues include sectarian law, high unemployment rates, and inadequacies of government-provided services.
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