Dissident

''For the Pearl Jam song, see Dissident (song).

A dissident, broadly defined, is a person who actively opposes an established opinion, policy, or structure. The term is most often used to refer to political dissidents, usually against authoritarian regimes or established constitutional order (although there are rare uses of the phrase philosophical dissident). Political dissidents usually use non-violent means of political dissent, including voicing criticism of the government or dominating ideology, but dissidents can also attempt to displace or overthrow the established government by achieving popular support and sparking a revolution or rebellion. In totalitarian regimes these dissidents are often punished with lengthy prison sentences, execution or economic deprivation.

It has been widely alleged that the USSR and China used or use involuntary commitment against dissidents. Dissidents constantly face stalking and harassment by authorities, who often record or keep a close watch on their activities, and gather incriminating evidence that would lead to their eventual imprisonment. Many dissidents, as a result, are forced into hiding, moving from one place to another.

Similarly, social dissidents openly oppose dominant social attitudes. In western democratic societies political and social dissidents are widely claimed to be free from government pressure, but there have been notable instances of persecution, such as during the Palmer Raids.

Militant dissidents are usually in the form of armed paramilitary groups whose aim is usually to overthrow a government or regime, or otherwise impose changes on the established order. Since militant dissidents are almost always militarily disadvantaged compared to the ruling power, such groups usually resort to asymmetric warfare, guerrilla warfare, or in some cases, terrorism, to further their cause. Such groups are often denounced as terrorists by the ruling power regardless, though they often consider themselves freedom fighters or resistance movements.

Noted Dissidents

Noted dissidents include Akbar Gangi, Andrei Sakharov, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Robert Havemann, Natan Sharansky, Sergei Kovalev, Vladimir Bukovsky, Mikhail Trepashkin, Harry Wu, Lech Wałęsa, Václav Havel, Aung San Suu Kyi, Armando Valladares, Francis Seow, Wei Jingsheng, Ernst Zündel and Nelson Mandela.

Dissident

Noted Dissidents

See also