Conclusion: The Dissent Project

This chapter sums up on the book's argument that dissent ought to be enthusiastically encouraged in all areas of our culture, in order to keep authority under constant scrutiny and resist any tendency it might display towards authoritarianism and totalitarianism. Dissent versus authoritarianism is identified as one of the most crucial socio-political issues of our time. The importance of the green movement as a source of dissent against the fossil-fuel industry, and its lack of action on climate change, is also emphasised. Democracy is seen to depend on dissent being freely expressible and both governments and corporations being held to account. The conclusion is that dissent is a project we should all be engaged in.