What do you mean by “show strong opposition but using civil and democratic means”? Give me that, and I'll show you millions who can't, or that it isn't effective, or rejoice and change the world.
- engage in discussions
- speak up against injustices
- vote
- join groups of like-minded people
- exercise your right to demonstrate
Change is hard, and it is slow. That is usually not a bad thing; however, it requires persistence.
I'm currently stuck in Germany. Think about the late 80s when a whole state was brought down peacefully by the people of the German Democratic Republic. It was not a storm on the Reichstag that brought about the fall of the state, nor a military coup. It was a lot of different factors combined but an increasing pressure from the people played a central role in it. And, mind you, this was a regime that had no problem taking extreme measures against its own people, so certainly no easy circumstances to stand up against the authorities.
I understand that you want to prove a point and stick to your position, but in all honesty, I don't find your claim convincing.
People in the US cannot engage in discussions? You need to have political power to speak up against injustices? 98.5% of the US population has not been disenfranchised in 2020. Obviously, joining groups of like-minded people requires such groups to exist, but in the age of social media, they don't have to be physically around you any more.
I mean, without a doubt every single one of your points is true and applicable in some cases, but for the vast majority of people there is absolutely no problem doing any of the examples I listed.
Let's not forget our context here: the OP suggested deadly violence against "rentseekers", and I countered that more civil acts should be taken. I sure hope that despite your arguments above, you'd still be on my side in that question.
The first and fourth require like-minded people around you. The second requires some measure of personal political power. The last one requires both. The third requires you not to have been disenfranchised.
There are many people in the US who can't do any of those. I'm not sure how that compares to East Germany, since I have lived in neither country.
