The New Face of Protest: A Revolution in Serbia and Beyond
The Rise of Apathy and the Rejection of Society’s Pressure to Achieve
In recent years, China has seen a growing trend of "bai lan" (), or "let it rot," among younger generations. This attitude is characterized by a rejection of the rat race and a focus on personal well-being over career advancement. Similarly, in Serbia, a new wave of protests has emerged, marked by a sense of resignation and a rejection of societal pressures to overachieve.
The Serbian Protests: A New Kind of Resistance
The protests in Serbia, which began in response to a roof collapse at a recently renovated railway station, have spread to over 200 cities and towns, attracting hundreds of thousands of participants. The protesters, mostly young people, are demanding greater transparency and accountability from the government, as well as an end to corruption and environmental destruction. What sets these protests apart is their apolitical stance, with the demonstrators rejecting both violent resistance and dialogue with those in power.
The Power of Non-Violence and Transparency
The Serbian protesters are not threatening violence, but they have also rejected dialogue with the government. This "apolitical" stance creates a new kind of politics, one that is focused on transparency and accountability rather than power struggles. As Slavoj Žižek, a professor of philosophy, notes, "The protesters are refusing to play politics by the existing (mostly unwritten) rules. They are pursuing fundamental changes to how basic institutions work."
The European Union: A Hypocrite in the Making
The European Union, which has been a candidate for Serbia’s membership since 2012, has remained silent on the protests, citing concerns about stability and the potential for the country to turn towards Russia. This lack of criticism from the EU has left Serbian civil society feeling isolated and ignored. The absence of EU flags at the protests is a testament to the disillusionment with the EU’s approach to democracy and human rights.
Conclusion
The new face of protest is not about violent resistance or dialogue with those in power. It is about a rejection of societal pressures and a focus on transparency and accountability. The Serbian protests, and others like them, are a call to action for a new kind of politics, one that prioritizes the well-being of citizens over the interests of powerful elites.
FAQs
- What is "bai lan"?
- "Bai lan" is a Chinese term that translates to "let it rot" and is characterized by a rejection of the rat race and a focus on personal well-being over career advancement.
- What are the demands of the Serbian protesters?
- The protesters are demanding greater transparency and accountability from the government, as well as an end to corruption and environmental destruction.
- What sets the Serbian protests apart from others?
- The Serbian protests are unique in their apolitical stance, with the demonstrators rejecting both violent resistance and dialogue with those in power.
- What is the European Union’s stance on the Serbian protests?
- The EU has remained silent on the protests, citing concerns about stability and the potential for Serbia to turn towards Russia.