Civil disobedience refers to the active, nonviolent refusal to comply with laws or governmental demands that individuals consider unjust. In the context of political resistance, it serves as a philosophical and practical tool for voicing dissent and prompting social change. Notable figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Henry David Thoreau have championed civil disobedience as a means to raise awareness and challenge oppressive systems. This form of resistance emphasizes moral responsibility over legal compliance and aims to provoke discussions about justice, ethics, and human rights.