Definition
The "death of public protest" describes the potential outcome where nonlethal directed-energy weapons (N-DEWs) enable repressive regimes to disperse crowds without casualties, effectively silencing democratic movements globally.
Mechanism
N-DEWs like Active Denial Technology create an intense heat sensation on human skin at a distance, causing subjects to flee the area. Unlike kinetic weapons or chemical agents, these systems:
- Leave no physical marks
- Cause no permanent injury
- Have no lasting effects on subjects
- Are difficult for protestors to counter effectively
Strategic Consequences
As Mitchell Croom (2016) argues, N-DEWs lower the cost of repression significantly. States already have lethal force options and often refrain from using them due to fear of backlash. N-DEWs provide a middle ground that allows governments to:
1. Disperse crowds at will without casualties
2. Avoid international scrutiny for "excessive force"
3. Entrench illiberal governance by making protest nearly impossible
4. Enable global rollback of democracy through technology diffusion
Policy Framework
Croom's analysis leads to a three-pronged approach:
1. Prompt action: The U.S. should lead international N-DEW regulation before proliferation becomes irreversible
2. Use restrictions: Prohibit N-DEWs in policing while allowing military applications
3. Multilateral governance: Establish arms-control regime with enforcement mechanisms including sanctions for abuse
The core thesis is that democratic movements lose their ability to challenge illiberal regimes when governments possess cost-effective, casualty-free crowd dispersal technology.