What does the term "civil disobedience" mean?

The term "civil disobedience" refers to the active refusal to obey certain laws, demands, and commands of a government, often carried out in a peaceful and non-violent manner. This concept is rooted in the belief that individuals have the moral responsibility to resist unjust laws and government actions. Historically, civil disobedience has been associated with movements seeking social change and justice, as individuals or groups protest laws they view as immoral or oppressive.

For instance, notable figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for civil disobedience as a means to challenge and reform unjust practices such as colonial rule and racial segregation, respectively. By peacefully resisting and deliberately breaking certain laws, participants aim to raise awareness, provoke debate, and encourage change within society.

The other choices illustrate opposing concepts. Accepting all laws as moral ignores the moral obligation some individuals feel to challenge unjust laws. Supporting all government actions without question suggests a lack of scrutiny and engagement, while voting against government initiatives, although a form of political action, does not capture the essence of civil disobedience, which specifically involves non-compliance with laws rather than just an electoral response.