When All Else Fails

Jason Brennan's When All Else Fails argues that citizens have a moral right to resist unjust government actions, challenging traditional views on compliance.

In When All Else Fails, Jason Brennan presents a compelling argument that challenges conventional views on how citizens should respond to governmental injustice. Traditionally, the economist Albert O. Hirschman identified three responses to governmental wrongdoing: leaving, complaining, or complying. However, Brennan introduces a fourth option—resistance. He posits that when governments violate our rights, not only is resistance permissible, but it may also be a moral obligation. This perspective invites readers to reconsider the limits of acceptable behavior in the face of injustice.

Brennan's work confronts the long-held belief that citizens must tolerate governmental actions without interference. While many have accepted the notion that we can only express dissatisfaction through channels such as voting, protesting, or legal action, he argues that this is insufficient. Instead, he advocates for 'uncivil disobedience' as a legitimate response to systemic injustice. This includes acts such as resisting arrest for unjust laws, disobeying orders, and even using force in self-defense. Such actions, according to Brennan, are not merely reactions but are grounded in a moral framework that supports the right to resist.

Ultimately, When All Else Fails serves as a provocative challenge to the status quo, urging readers to rethink their roles as citizens in a democracy. It encourages a deeper examination of the ethical implications of government actions and the rightful responses of individuals when faced with injustice. Through this lens, Brennan invites a dialogue about the responsibilities of citizens in maintaining justice and accountability within their governments.