CAHSS Faculty Articles

Demos Kratos: New Expressions of People Power Across the Globe.

Cheryl Lynn Duckworth, Nova Southeastern University
John McDonald

Abstract

This paper explores the trend of people power by which ordinary citizens are using peaceful means to bring about social, economic and political change, focusing specifically on occurrences in Nepal, Indonesia, Yugoslavia, Hong Kong and Georgia from the 1990s to the present. The authors analyze the shared causes and characteristics of the case studies presented from the role undertaken by the military, IMTD and the international community. The paper explains that governments must contend with the “new reality” molded by people power in a principled, fair manner and truly listen to the needs of their constituencies. As was the case in Nepal, Indonesia and the other countries addressed, the people will simply leave behind leaders who will not do so.