A claim is an action of protest against a situation that is considered inappropriate or unfair. As a general trend, it is a collective action, although there are cases in which it is carried out individually.
The mechanism by which a claim is produced is normally the following: an entity or an institution adopts a measure that is valued by some as harmful and, in response, a protest act is organized (the best known is the popular demonstration with banners and critical messages).
Although the demonstration is the classic claim system, it should not be forgotten that there are very different formulas or means. One of them is through art in any of its forms and in this sense there is committed art, in which in addition to an aesthetic creation there is a critical and oppositional message (theatrical satire, protest song or some graffiti have this ingredient of social denunciation).
In a democratic system, any claim is possible and is recognized as a fundamental right. It is considered to be a necessary response to possible abuse or grievances.
A strong voice of expression
The vindictive spirit of a society is a good sign of the consolidation of democracy. At the same time, this attitude indicates that citizens want to participate in decision-making in an active way and not as mere spectators.
New technologies are allowing current claims to be channeled more quickly and with a potential that a few years ago would have been unimaginable.
Driving ideas for change
In recent years there has been talk of a very specific demand that affects the entire planet: that 0.7% of the GDP of each nation be allocated to international aid to reduce situations of extreme poverty.
From a historical perspective, vindication has been the engine of social change in many periods and circumstances: the abolition of slavery, the fight for workers' rights, the right to vote for women, the claims of indigenous peoples, etc. Some protests have borne fruit and thanks to them an unacceptable reality has disappeared.
Among the various claims proposals, one of the most widespread is the Tobin tax. It consists of requiring that a tax be applied to financial transactions in order to allocate the proceeds obtained for social purposes.
