Languages of the Unheard Why Militant Protest is Good for Democracy

Martin Luther King once insisted that 'a riot is the language of the unheard.' Since 2011 swathes of protest, rebellion and rioting have covered the globe. A new, disenfranchised generation is fighting for its voice as once again scores of police line the streets and pop icons demand a political revolution.

Challenging the reader to consider arson attacks against empty buildings, Black Bloc streetfighting tactics and industrial sabotage, amongst an array of other militant action, philosopher Steven D'Arcy asks if it is ever acceptable to use or threaten to use armed force? Drawing a clear line between justifiable and unjustifiable militancy, Languages of the Unheard shows that the crucial contrast is between democratic and undemocratic action, rather than violence and non-violence.

Both a consideration of the ethics and politics of militant protest and the story of dissidents and their actions post 1968, this book argues that militancy is not a danger to democratic norms of consensus-building. Instead, it is a legitimate remedy for elite intransigence and unresponsive systems of power that ignore, or silence, the people.

Stephen D'Arcy is Chair of the Department of Philosophy at Huron University College, at Western University, in London, Ontario, where he is a tenured Associate Professor. He teaches courses in moral and political philosophy, and publishes in the areas of democratic theory and practical ethics. His most recent articles include 'The Militant Protester as Model Citizen' (Peace Review), 'Strategy, Meta-strategy, and Anti-capitalist Activism' (Socialist Studies), and 'Is There Ever an Obligation to Commit Welfare Fraud?' (Journal of Value Inquiry). He is a long-time social activist and protest organizer: a co-founder and active member of Climate Justice London; a committed, regular participant in Occupy London Ontario; and an activist over many years in labour, anti-poverty, and other movements. He is a regular contributor to ZNet, Rabble.ca, The Bullet and Relay magazine.

Introduction
1. The Militant Protester as Model Citizen
2. What is Militancy? And Why Does it Worry Liberals?
3. The Democratic Standard
4. Civil Disobedience
5. Disruptive Direct Action
6. Sabotage
7. The Black Bloc
8. Rioting
9. Armed Struggle
Conclusion