David Farrar: People power

In Nepal, young social media users highlighted displays of wealth by families of government officials. The Govt tried to ban social media, and protests occurred resulting in the fall of their communist Prime Minister.

In Bulgaria, the Government announced tax hikes to fund the pay of high-ranking officials, government administration and security institutions, and protests brought that Government down within weeks.

And the Iranian regime is tottering over massive nationwide protests as a result of a cost of living crisis fuelled by high inflation and tax increases.

David Farrar runs Curia Market Research, a specialist opinion polling and research agency, and the popular Kiwiblog where this article was sourced. He previously worked in the Parliament for eight years, serving two National Party Prime Ministers and three Opposition Leaders