Time magazine has named "The Protester" its person of the year, citing demonstrations around the world by citizens wanting change in their countries.

Time's top editor Rick Stengel said the decision was made to recognize protesters because they are "redefining people power" around the world.

"Everywhere, it seems, people said they'd had enough," Stengel said in a statement. "They dissented; they demanded; they did not despair, even when the answers came back in a cloud of tear gas or a hail of bullets."

"They literally embodied the idea that individual action can bring collective, colossal change," he continued. "And although it was understood differently in different places, the idea of democracy was present in every gathering."

The magazine pointed to dissent across the Middle East, Europe and Occupy Wall Street protests in the United States.

Time chooses its "Person of the Year" based on who has influenced society the most, for good or bad, during the year.

Last year, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg was given the title.