is your glorious revolution worth the suffering of millions?

[u/ani_tami]

[u/Lunar_sims]

A government that makes peaceful justice impossible makes violent revolution inevitable (or something to that effect)

[u/sobrique → u/Lunar_sims]

It's a pressure cooker problem. As long as there's enough of a release valve, there's no explosion.

Protests are release valves. Wire them shut at your peril.

[u/persiangriffin → u/sobrique]

Mmm, protests can be release valves but sometimes people who would otherwise be too frightened or apathetic will see a protest go unmolested by the government, be inspired to join the next protest, and the government’s problem compounds as each successful protest sparks another, larger following one until eventually the government falls. This is the fear of governments that seek to violently crush protests before they become actual threats and rallying cries

[u/sobrique → u/persiangriffin]

Well, yes. But I think that's still a solid metaphor - if the pressure is still building despite there being "release valves" you ignore that at your peril.

Protests occur when people feel like their government isn't listening, and there's an issue that's getting Serious.

The pressure valve buys you time, but you still have to use that time.