In recent months, youth-led protests have toppled governments around the world, from Nepal to Peru, driven by rising disillusionment with political elites and high rates of unemployment. These uprisings have followed in the footsteps of last year’s protests in Bangladesh, which have been credited as the first successful Gen Z revolution.
“Some observers might dismiss this new wave of activism as irrelevant to the future of established democracies,” Christian Caryl writes. “But such complacency might be ill-advised. If this new revolutionary movement has demonstrated anything, it’s that no one should underestimate its infectiousness.”
In recent months, youth-led protests have toppled governments around the world, from Nepal to Peru, driven by rising disillusionment with political elites and high rates of unemployment. These uprisings have followed in the footsteps of last year’s protests in Bangladesh, which have been credited as the first successful Gen Z revolution.
“Some observers might dismiss this new wave of activism as irrelevant to the future of established democracies,” Christian Caryl writes. “But such complacency might be ill-advised. If this new revolutionary movement has demonstrated anything, it’s that no one should underestimate its infectiousness.”
What unites these far-flung movements, and what can they reveal about the future of protest? This edition of the Reading List explores these questions and more, providing insight into individual countries’ Gen Z-led uprisings, global trends, and what might be on the other side of revolution.
Gen Z protest in Madagascar
Demonstrators hold banners and cheer as they gather for a protest rally outside City Hall in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on Oct. 13. LUIS TATO/AFP via Getty Images
Gen Z Is Taking to the Barricades
Here’s why you should be paying attention, according to Christian Caryl.
People light candles during a silent tribute in honor of those killed during the recent Gen Z protests at the Maitighar Mandala monument in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Sept. 17.
People light candles during a silent tribute in honor of those killed during the recent Gen Z protests at the Maitighar Mandala monument in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Sept. 17.Arun Sankar/AFP via Getty Images
Nepal’s Discord Vote Might Be the Future of Protest
The popular social media platform has helped choose an interim prime minister, Aja Romano writes.
Crowds of people gather to demonstrate after soldiers entered the presidential palace, seizing power and suspending the constitution, in Antananarivo, Madagascar on Oct. 14.
Crowds of people gather to demonstrate after soldiers entered the presidential palace, seizing power and suspending the constitution, in Antananarivo, Madagascar on Oct. 14.Rafalia Henitsoa/Anadolu via Getty Images
Madagascar’s ‘Coupvolution’ Is Following a Familiar Pattern
Gen Z protesters now have buyer’s remorse, Salah Ben Hammou and Jonathan Powell write.
A farmer arranges crops in a shape of the map of India while participating in a protest against the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government during a nationwide farmers’ strike following the recent passing of agriculture bills in Kolkata on September 25, 2020.
A farmer arranges crops in a shape of the map of India while participating in a protest against the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government during a nationwide farmers’ strike following the recent passing of agriculture bills in Kolkata on September 25, 2020. DIBYANGSHU SARKAR / AFP)
India’s Biggest Problem Is Its Own Backyard
The Indian government’s global ambitions are undermined by regional uprisings from Bangladesh to Nepal, Safina Nabi writes.
How Gen Z Sees the World
A conversation between FP’s Ravi Agrawal and Zoomer author and commentator Kyla Scanlon.
