The recent race riots in the United Kingdom show how political polarisation, misinformation, and scapegoating can lead to domestic social fragmentation and civil conflict. As more of our societies become culturally diverse, identity politics of scapegoating and demonising can escalate into political violence. This is exacerbated by populists who exploit people’s fears for their own economic gain and fuel hatred of the other.
The root cause of all political unrest is inequality. When a large segment of the population feels left out or underprivileged, they can be easily convinced to protest against their government and demand more equal opportunities. Government corruption is another major factor that contributes to political instability, as it erodes citizens’ faith in their elected officials and the integrity of democratic results.
Finally, climate change is one of the fastest growing causes of civil unrest around the world. Many groups that advocate for environmental and social justice, such as Extinction Rebellion, are organising widespread protests to call for climate action. Instability caused by environmental degradation and resource scarcity exacerbates all the other factors that lead to political unrest, and is a growing concern for humanity at large.