The political course and individual decisions of the country's leadership do not always find support in society. In any state, there are explicit or latent elements that oppose the official power and use any means to strengthen their influence in the state. Such social forces are called political opposition.
Does society need political opposition
In modern political life, identifying the reasons for the emergence of political opposition and studying the forms of its activity are of great practical importance. This is done not only by state structures, vigilantly monitoring the changes in the balance of power in the political arena, but also by political scientists.
Any society based on democracy and having more or less developed traditions in domestic politics considers the presence of opposition as a completely natural phenomenon that naturally arises and develops. The existence of forces opposing the official government ensures that society is free from like-mindedness, which is often the reason for the establishment of the dictatorship of individuals or groups.
Political opposition fosters feedback between social movements, individual citizens and the current government. If the laws of a country guarantee citizens the freedom to express their views, no one has the right to prohibit those who disagree with the official policy of the state from expressing their opinion and defending their own position by demanding changes in policy.
Political opposition: reasons, nature and meaning
As one of the reasons causing the emergence of opposition, political scientists name the inherent contradictions inherent in society. The social structure is far from homogeneous. It includes a variety of strata and groups that have their own mutually exclusive interests. The growth of opposition sentiments is noted when social stratification grows in society, and the economic situation of the masses worsens. As a result, a protest movement appears, the slogan of which is the restoration of social justice.
The opposition can be quite moderate, radical or completely irreconcilable. This division presupposes a different degree of loyalty of representatives of the protest movement to the current government. Some opposition parties peacefully and successfully get along with their opponents within the legislative branch, taking part in the development of laws. Currents that are extreme in their views use rallies, street processions and other actions to defend their views, constantly keeping the authorities in suspense.
Opposition movements opposing the authorities play the role of a kind of counterweight through which the necessary balance in society is achieved. This, no doubt, contributes to the free development of all social and political institutions. The exception is extreme oppositional manifestations that threaten public safety, the life and health of citizens.
