Civil Disobedience
In an essay of at least six pages (1800 words) in length, answer the following
question:
What is the most effective means of protesting an unjust law?
Provide a critical review of the three different position developed in Plato’s Crito, Dr. Martin Luther King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” and Malcolm X’s “The Ballot or the Bullet.” Make sure to indicate or quote passages where necessary.
a. Socrates and persuasion
i. Why does Socrates believe persuasion to be the most effective means of protest?
ii. Why does he believe any form of direction action, i.e., breaking the law to be ineffective?
b. Dr. King and non-violence direct action
i. Why does Dr. King believe non-violent direct action to be the most effective means of protest?
ii. Why does King believe mere persuasion to be ineffective?
iii. Why does King believe violence to be an ineffective means?
c. Malcolm X
i. Why does Malcolm X believe that “any means necessary” is the most effective means of protest?
ii. Why does Malcolm X believe mere persuasion to be ineffective?
iii. Why does Malcolm X believe non-violent direct action to be ineffective?
