Political decisions can cause a backlash, which can range from letters of criticism to violent confrontations. The American Revolutionary War was a famous example of political backlash. Governments often anticipate backlash when making controversial decisions, such as using military force or enacting civil rights laws.
A law of physics states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. This same principle can also be applied to the world of politics, although the reaction is not always the same or completely opposite. Whenever a controversial political decision is made or an unpopular law is passed, there is often a backlash called a backlash. A political backlash can occur within hours of an action or it could take years to form.
The term backlash is generally applied whenever a definite reaction has taken place, not simply when the opposition feels disgruntled or disenfranchised. One could see a political backlash as the equally powerful backlash that follows the crack of a whip. The tip of the whip may hit its mark, but the person wielding it could also be injured by the whip’s kickback.
A political backlash spans the entire spectrum, from reactionary to revolutionary. When one ideology is in control of a government, those of the opposing ideology often feel powerless to stop certain actions that particular government takes. A liberal president, for example, may decide to pass laws making the private possession of firearms illegal. While many citizens would support such action, others may feel the new laws are too intrusive. The end result of this disagreement could easily be a political backlash, with opponents of the gun gang excluding lawmakers who voted in favor of the laws. Opponents can also write letters criticizing the decision, or they can organize large public demonstrations.
One of the most famous examples of political backlash occurred in the British colonies during the 18th century. When English rulers unilaterally decided to raise taxes on common goods such as stamps and tea, the American colonists formed a united opposition and declared their political independence. The American Revolutionary War could be seen as the last political blowback, as the roots of this action can be traced directly to unpopular decisions made by the British government. Political backlash doesn’t always lead to violent confrontations or the overthrow of a ruling government, but it does serve to demonstrate the resolve of those who disagree with their political leaders.
Many governments anticipate some form of political backlash whenever a controversial or unpopular action is taken. The decision to use military force, for example, generally creates a backlash from those who oppose war in general or disagree with the government’s agenda. When several civil rights laws were enacted in the 1960s, the federal government anticipated a backlash from those who still believed in racial segregation. The protest movements of the late 1960s and early 1970s could also be seen as a result of the backlash against American involvement in the Vietnam War. Race riots in America’s big cities are also commonly seen as a political backlash during tough economic times.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
