Civil disobedience is a public, non-violent and conscientious breach of law undertaken with the aim of bringing about a change in laws or government policies. On this account, the persons who practice civil disobedience are willing to accept the legal consequences of their actions, as this shows their fidelity to the rule of law. Civil disobedience, given its place at the boundary of fidelity to law, is said to fall between legal protest, on the one hand, and conscientious refusal, revolutionary action, militant protest and organised forcible resistance, on the other hand.
The term ‘civil disobedience’ was coined by Henry David Thoreau in his 1848 essay to describe his refusal to pay the state poll tax implemented by the American government to prosecute a war in Mexico and to enforce the Fugitive Slave Law. In his essay, Thoreau observes that only a very few people – heroes, martyrs, patriots, reformers in the best sense – serve their society with their consciences, and so necessarily resist society for the most part, and are commonly treated by it as enemies. Thoreau, for his part, spent time in jail for his protest. Many after him have proudly identified their protests as acts of civil disobedience and have been treated by their societies – sometimes temporarily, sometimes indefinitely – as its enemies.
Conscientiousness: This feature, highlighted in almost all accounts of civil disobedience, points to the seriousness, sincerity and moral conviction with which civil disobedients breach the law. For many disobedients, their breach of law is demanded of them not only by self-respect and moral consistency but also by their perception of the interests of their society. Through their disobedience, they draw attention to laws or policies that they believe require reassessment or rejection.
One (relatively soft) form of civil disobedience which can be applied to Macedonia is the flag issue. Quite simply, don't use the new flag when and where possible. Use only the ancient Macedonian sun and/or the Macedonian lion in its place - both of which are true Macedonian symbols. When you go to support a Macedonian sporting team (even though the team itself is obliged to use that dispicable new flag) only use flags with the true Macedonian symbols. Macedonian atheletes (despite their uniforms with the new flag) can do the same at the end of the game where it is common for teams to hurl the flag of their nation after a victory on the court or field. Discourage the use of the new flag and do not accept it in your shops and clubs, or on your promotional material, on your clothes, on your stickers for car windows, etc.
It has to start at the ground level. If this can happen then it will open the path for more assertive action. Thus, where it concerns atheletes and sporting teams, they can make a pact and a united stand by refusing to play while wearing a uniform that has the new flag printed or attached to it. Will they be prepared to face the consequences? At the moment, probably not. But if they see others doing it, then it might just give them the confidence. The problem at the moment is that nobody wants to take the lead on this situation, despite the good intentions of many in Macedonia.
Hope the above will provoke some thought. I am not proposing that this is the best or only example, but it is a good enough starting point for further discussion and exploration of options.
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