They do listen to some extent. Not always, obviously, but saying protests are basically useless is just wrong. The CPE was scrapped after protests in 2006, the écotaxe was abandoned after the Bonnets Rouges protests, the fuel tax increase was cancelled after the Yellow Vests, and the government backed down on several measures after the 2024 farmers’ protests. You can argue protests do not always succeed, but pretending they achieve nothing just ignores what actually happened.
The science on it shows they are effectively useless. What they do is put messaging out that may have long term changes. But quick changes? They typically are worse for messaging. Know what works even better? Voting and participation in government.
They do listen to some extent. Not always, obviously, but saying protests are basically useless is just wrong. The CPE was scrapped after protests in 2006, the écotaxe was abandoned after the Bonnets Rouges protests, the fuel tax increase was cancelled after the Yellow Vests, and the government backed down on several measures after the 2024 farmers’ protests. You can argue protests do not always succeed, but pretending they achieve nothing just ignores what actually happened.
The science on it shows they are effectively useless. What they do is put messaging out that may have long term changes. But quick changes? They typically are worse for messaging. Know what works even better? Voting and participation in government.
Unfortunately the government’s like to wait a few years and try again. The message doesn’t always stick