The Politics of Agency: Boycotts and Protests as Expressions of Dissent in the Post-October 7.

Abstract

the unresolved issues about violence and resistance. In response, people from various backgrounds took action, protesting in the streets, calling for boycotts, and turning to social media to make their voices heard. These actions show that power does not belong to governments, presidents, or official institutions; instead, ordinary people, those without formal authority, can also shape politics through actions like protests, boycotts, and other forms of resistance. To achieve this goal, the research incorporates a range of theoretical perspectives, including Charles Tilly’s theory of social movements, Judith Butler’s notion of grievability, James C. Scott’s concept of everyday resistance, and Stuart Hall’s encoding/decoding framework. This study looks at how people show political resistance through public protest, boycotts, and online activism. It focuses on how digital platforms like Twitter, Instagram, etc., help bring attention to voices that are usually ignored, particularly those supporting Palestine. Moreover, it also analyzes how Western governments and media often claim to support free speech but respond differently when people speak out for Palestine, which shows a double standard in how freedom of expression is applied. This research claims that while protest, boycotts, and digital activism contribute substantially to public awareness, they often confront systemic obstacles that restrict their capacity to bring about significant political change. The concluding statement further offers projections on the future paths of political agency, evolving resistance methods, and the shifting impact of media and activism in responding to global injustices.