Concept in Definition ABC

A dissenter is the person who expresses his disagreement in relation to something or someone. This general definition normally applies within the sphere politics and, more specifically, in those circumstances where there is no Liberty from expression.

The verb that corresponds to this adjective is dissent, which is equivalent to disagree, disagree or oppose.

The image of the dissident in democratic society

In the framework of democratic regimes, there is not properly the figure of the dissident, since if there is democracy freedom of expression is accepted as normal. In this way, it is in dictatorships or totalitarian governments where people opposed to the ideological mainstream (although it should not be forgotten that there have been cases of dissent in the democratic).

There is no single archetype of dissident. Their discrepancy usually has a political dimension, but it can also be of a cultural, religious or social.

Anyone who disagrees with something in circumstances where there is no freedom of expression knows that his position can be punished or repressed. Consequently, their disagreement takes on value

singularIt is an act of courage and determination.

The consequences of being a dissident

A common feature of all dictatorships is the limitation of the freedom of expression of citizens. Censorship and control of information are two typical mechanisms of totalitarian systems. However, there are individuals who do not want to give up their ideas and expose them, knowing the danger that run.

The threat of harsh retaliation

The reaction to a dissident tends towards some kind of retaliation: jail, re-education camps, gulags, etc. For dictatorships, the dissident is dangerous, so he must be silenced and some appear dead in strange circumstances. Another of the classic strategies to silence the dissident consists of launching a campaign against him to discredit him socially (he is considered an unpatriotic, subversive or dangerous individual for the safety national).

The opponent or dissident sometimes becomes a symbol of all those people who disapprove of a dictatorial system.

Whoever believes that ideas are unacceptable and considers himself a dissident is often forced to: act on the clandestinely, openly standing up to power or going into exile (dissent in exile is a reality in most dictatorships).

Issues in Dissent