At today's press conference, the Victorian Premier was asked about people saying they will refuse to wear COVID-19 masks as an act of civil disobedience. He rejects this is a useful example because of the benefits. I agree

Let's look at the #sociology of moral disobedience

Civil disobedience describes when the general population refuses to obey government laws,or protest against social policies and other decisions by the state

Not wearing a mask is an example, but so is #BlackLivesMatter That's why *moral* disobedience can be a useful distinction

Moral disobedience is about the values behind acts of civil disobedience. It's distinct from "delinquency" (e.g. vandalism and violence as an ends to themselves). Moral disobedience is about breaking the law in recognition that rules or authority are harmful to social progress

*Prosocial* moral disobedience goes one step further, beyond disagreement with the status quo. It is centrally concerned with taking action to improve inclusion or human rights for everyone in society. It's motivated by improving the lives of others, not just oneself or our peers

Civil disobedience of not wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic is NOT prosocial moral disobedience. If people break the law in a way that only benefits themselves, their networks or social group, this is not prosocial. Not following social distancing harms vulnerable peple

Civil disobedience is not prosocial when it's motivated by moral exclusion, which elevates the rights of one group through institutional oppression and violence towards others

Increasing risk of infection is on this continuum, because it does not contribute to public health

Prosocial moral disobedience, such as racial justice movements, are centrally concerned with establishing equality for marginalised groups. This is characterised by values of universal freedom, moral inclusion and social responsibility. #BlackLivesMatter is an example

Attending a #BlackLivesMatter protest, say midday next Tuesday 28th in Sydney, while wearing a mask is a dual example of prosocial moral disobedience

Protesters will wear masks and protest unfair laws that allow police officers to kill Aboriginal people in custody with impunity

People who refuse to wear masks because they feel it impinges on their freedom do not care about the lives of others who might die from COVID-19. This isn't just

People who wear masks and protest deaths in custody do so to stop the killing of Aboriginal people. This is just

If you'd like to see a #sociology case study of prosocial moral disobedience, go here: https://othersociologist.com/2013/12/08/nelson-mandela-moral-disobedience/

The biggest takeaway: no prosocial moral disobedience is successful due to one leader or individual. It requires the majority of us to follow collective actions