Political unrest is a term used to describe events such as protests, strikes and anti-government demonstrations. This kind of unrest is not limited to any country or region and can be seen in democracies and autocracies, rich and poor countries. It is generally linked to severe inequality and a sense of injustice among the population.
As we approach the 2024 election, fears of violence are on the rise. Right- and left-wing extremist groups have threatened to disrupt the elections by using violence if their candidates don’t win. This is a serious concern for businesses and organizations alike, as it could lead to lost productivity.
While political unrest decreased during the pandemic, it has continued to erupt around the world in places as diverse as the United States, which saw a wave of racial justice protests; Chile, where high subway fares triggered anti-government protests; and Lebanon, where economic issues such as sectarian law and persistent unemployment drive civil discontent. These kinds of issues can be exacerbated by external factors such as a changing global economy, environmental changes or even the failure of public services such as healthcare or education.
Measuring and forecasting civil unrest can be challenging, as data on such events are difficult to come by. However, the IMF’s Social Unrest Index aims to provide an overview of these events by counting media reports that contain words like “protest” or “riot.” Regardless of how such measures are measured, it is important for companies and organizations to have contingency plans in place should an emergency occur. Those plans should include how to safely communicate with employees and stakeholders and what to do if they are in the vicinity of protests or other areas of unrest.