Civil Disobedience of Climate Activism in the Context of Collective Akrasia: The Problem of Non-Violence

Abstract

A recent study reveals that young people suffer from climate anxiety and feel betrayed by older generations, whom they accuse of failing to preserve the proper functioning of the Earth system. The collectives around whom these young people organize claim that all communication channels with those in power are exhausted. For this reason, climate activism led by younger generations has intensified worldwide, with a particular focus on democratic countries within the European space, and among these, the European Union. The targets of climate activists are political and economic agents, accused of climate inaction. It appears that those in power are aware of the damage that the current model of economic development is causing to the proper functioning of the planet, but despite this knowledge, they act against their better judgment of what is right, in an attitude that could be classified as collective akrasia. Activists' actions are carried out on two fronts: the courts and the streets; in the courts, by resorting to the highest judicial authorities; in the streets, through acts of civil disobedience. Street protests in the European space have elicited an inadequate and disproportionate response from the states, involving the use of surveillance and repression measures designed to combat terrorism and criminal organizations. In this context, it is essential to reflect on the characteristics of the concept of civil disobedience in liberal democratic regimes, especially the sensitive issue of non-violence. In this research, the bibliographic research method was used through the reading, interpretation, reflection, and critique of books and scientific articles by the leading authors on the topics addressed.