Grievances and the Genesis of Rebellion: Why Governance Matters

Authors

Steven Pfaff, Chapman UniversityFollow
Michael Hechter, University of Washington

Document Type

Editorial

Publication Date

2-5-2021

Abstract

"In history and in the present, the quality of governance links grievance to rebellion. Governance means the way that those in authority take action, conduct public administration, and enforce community norms and regulations. Citizens expect government to promote their security and welfare. Throughout history, people have blamed political authorities for the plagues and natural disasters that befell their communities. Usually, this was not because they saw the authorities as directly to blame for the natural calamity, but rather because they viewed their rulers as complacent, corrupt or incompetent in the face of it. Poor governance offends not only because it is ineffective but also because it violates cultural standards, disregards or diminishes the status of its subjects, and fails to achieve collective goals."

Comments

This article was originally published on Broadstreet in February 2021.

This scholarship is part of the Chapman University COVID-19 Archives.

Recommended Citation

Pfaff, Steven and Michael Hechter. 2021. “Grievances and the Genesis of Rebellion: Why Governance Matters”. Broadstreet blog, February 5, 2021. https://broadstreet.blog/2021/02/05/grievances-and-the-genesis-of-rebellion-why-governance-matters/

Copyright

Broadstreet