3.5% Protest Rule: Hope or Misconception? | JQJO

The "3.5% rule", suggesting that 3.5% population participation in sustained non-violent protests can topple authoritarian regimes, is gaining traction in anti-Trump circles. Originating from research by Erica Chenoweth and Maria Stephan, the rule is cited as a goal by activists, despite limitations. While the rule highlights the importance of mass participation, experts like Hardy Merriman emphasize other crucial factors such as training, commitment, and message clarity. The rule's applicability to the US, a backsliding democracy, is debated, as it's most accurate for maximalist campaigns against clear authoritarian regimes. While large-scale anti-Trump protests have occurred, the rule's effectiveness in this context remains uncertain.