Do protests make a difference?

Students are marching in London today in protest to the introduction of top-up fees.

Almost every week there is a protest of some sort, against something, taking place. This has led me to think, do these protests actually make a difference?

My current thought is not really, the only protest I can think of in recent years that has led to a change from Government, is over the Poll Tax (and there were many other factors involved) some 16 years ago. There have been numerous protests over the Iraq War, top up fees, the hunting ban, etc. that have failed in their aim.

The reason in my view as to why these protests take place is because the people protesting have lost the ear of Government and as a last resort are taking to the streets. By the time it gets to this stage, it is too late, as those who do have the Government’s ear will be lobbying to keep on track and ignore the protests.

So why do we still see these protests on such a regular basis. I suppose the answer is because people still believe they can make a difference and of course the answer is they can. The problem is people feel Governments just don’t listen, so why bother to turn out? This is the attitude organisers must change to make their protest a success.

However for every protest that takes place, whatever the turn out, it can be spun to favour the Government’s stance. As was the case with the Iraq war, 1 million people march, but 59 million people didn’t. Therefore it can be argued that those who stay at home either support or are indifferent to the Government’s stance.

Therefore it is very difficult for any protest to make a difference, the odds of a success are stacked against them from the start. People power is the most powerful weapon against a Government, if it is possible to unite enough around the same cause. It is the belief that this can be done, that enough people will turn out to make a difference, that means protests will continue to take place.