The possibility of geopolitical pressure deserves scrutiny, but it must be examined alongside the economic, social and political factors that can independently generate public discontent.

Both depend upon the credibility of institutions, the fairness of public policy and the willingness of those in authority to recognise legitimate grievances.

More than two centuries later, the French tradition of protest continues to underline a simple truth; governments may command institutions and enforce laws, but their lasting authority depends upon public trust.

Nations are shaped not only by their institutions and constitutions but also by historical experiences that leave a lasting imprint on the collective mind. Some societies develop a particular sensitivity to injustice, while others acquire a deep suspicion of authority. In France, the memory of revolution continues to inform the relationship between the state and its citizens. More than two centuries after the overthrow of the monarchy, the French remain willing to challenge policies they regard as unfair, defend their economic interests and take their grievances to the streets. The circumstances have changed, but the underlying question remains familiar; how far can authority go before society refuses to accept its demands?

The French Revolution of 1789 was born of a profound crisis of legitimacy. The monarchy struggled under financial pressures, the privileged estates resisted meaningful reform, and ordinary people faced taxation, food shortages and economic insecurity. What began as a confrontation over political representation and the distribution of burdens soon developed into a challenge to the foundations of the established order. The storming of the Bastille became a powerful symbol of the rejection of arbitrary authority, while the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity acquired a significance that extended far beyond France.

The Revolution was neither a simple triumph nor an uninterrupted march towards democracy. It brought violence, instability and political excess, followed by authoritarian rule and imperial ambition. Yet its central challenge to........

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