What is civil disobedience?

Civil disobedience is defined as the refusal to comply with certain laws, regulations, or commands of a government or occupying international power to bring about a change in policy or legislation. This practice is usually nonviolent and is based on the belief that some laws are unjust or immoral. Therefore, individuals who engage in civil disobedience accept the consequences of their actions, often willingly facing arrest or punishment to draw attention to the issues they oppose.

The correct answer captures the essence of civil disobedience, emphasizing the act of refusal to comply with specific laws as a form of protest against perceived injustices. This approach has been historically significant in various social movements, including the civil rights movement in the United States, where activists chose noncompliance to laws that upheld segregation and discrimination.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the fundamental concept of civil disobedience. Legal forms of protest might involve sanctioned demonstrations or activities that comply with legal parameters, while obeying all laws peacefully contradicts the very essence of disobedience. Engaging in violent protests represents a different method of dissent that can undermine the principles of civil disobedience, which typically advocates for nonviolence as a key component.