Time for Outrage!

"Time for Outrage!" (originally published in French as Indignez-vous!) was written by Stéphane Hessel in 2010. Hessel was a remarkable figure who served as a French Resistance fighter, a survivor of Nazi concentration camps, and a diplomat who helped draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He wrote the pamphlet when he was in his nineties.

The pamphlet serves as a passionate call to action, urging the younger generation to engage in civic resistance against the growing inequalities in modern society. Hessel specifically argues against the erosion of social rights and the dominance of unchecked capitalism. He encourages readers to find a cause that deeply infuriates them and to peacefully resist it.

Upon its release in 2010, the pamphlet became a massive, unexpected international bestseller, selling millions of copies across Europe. It is widely credited with providing the ideological spark for the anti-austerity movements in Europe, including Spain's Indignados movement. Its message heavily influenced the rhetoric and motivation behind the Occupy Wall Street protests.

No, despite its fiery title, Hessel explicitly advocates for non-violent, peaceful resistance throughout the text. Drawing from his experiences in the French Resistance and the drafting of human rights laws, he argues that violence is a dead end. He calls for peaceful protests, voting, and a return to the strong social safety nets established after World War II.