Nonviolent resistance

• 1. Defining The Practice

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  Nonviolent resistance, sometimes called civil resistance, is the practice of achieving goals such as social change through symbolic protests, civil disobedience, economic or political noncooperation, satyagraha, constructive program, or other methods. This type of action highlights the desires of an individual or group that feels that something needs to change to improve the current condition of the resisting person or group. It requires refraining from violence and the threat of violence while pursuing specific objectives. The United Nations celebrates Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's birthday on October 2 as the International Day of Non-Violence. This date marks a global recognition of the power inherent in peaceful protest. Distinguishing this practice from civil disobedience remains a key point for scholars like Berel Lang. He argues that civil disobedience necessarily violates the law and accepts punitive measures. Nonviolent resistance does not always require breaking laws or accepting punishment.

• 2. Ancient Roots And Movements

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  The Mohist philosophical school disapproved of war around 470 BCE to 391 BCE in China. They lived during a time of warring polities yet cultivated the science of fortification instead of aggression. Around CE 26 to 36 Jews demonstrated in Caesarea to try to convince Pontius Pilate not to set up Roman standards. These images were considered idolatrous by religious Jews who replied they were willing to die rather than see their laws violated. The Moriori people colonized the Chatham Islands and eventually became hunter-gatherers. Their lack of resources made conventional war unsustainable so it became customary to resolve disputes nonviolently. When 900 Māori invaded the island in 1835 most of the population of 2000 people were killed due to this tradition. A peaceful demonstration of 60,000 to 80,000 persons occurred in northern England before the Six Acts passed. This event included women and children armed with no other weapon but that of a self-approving conscience. Cavalry charged into the crowd with sabres drawn killing 15 people and injuring 400 to 700 others.

• 3. Architects Of Peace

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  Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi led the Indian National Congress through nationwide people's movements of nonviolent resistance. He called for immediate independence in August 1942 during the Quit India Movement. Abdul Ghaffar Khan established an organization among Pashtun in the North Western Frontier Province called Khudai Khidmatgar. This group recruited over 250,000 unarmed members who committed daily two hours community service. Martin Luther King Jr. and James Bevel were prominent leaders of the Civil Rights Movement inspired by Gandhi. They used tactics such as bus boycotts Freedom Rides sit-ins marches and mass demonstrations. Daniel Berrigan and Philip Berrigan formed part of the Plowshares Movement consisting largely of Catholic priests and nuns. Gene Sharp wrote The Politics of Nonviolent Action in 1973 outlining strategic frameworks for civilian-based defense. Václav Havel and Lech Wałęsa utilized these methods to challenge authoritarian regimes in Eastern Europe. Nelson Mandela initially employed nonviolent resistance before shifting strategies later in his life.

• 4. Measuring Success Rates

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  From 1966 to 1999 nonviolent civic resistance played a critical role in fifty of sixty-seven transitions from authoritarianism. Research shows that nonviolent campaigns diffuse spatially across borders. Information on nonviolent resistance in one country could significantly affect nonviolent activism in other countries. A study found that nonviolent activism tended to produce favorable media coverage and changes in public opinion focusing on issues organizers raised. Violent protests generated unfavorable media coverage that created public desire to restore law and order. The Singing revolution collected 4,000,000 people who sang national songs strictly forbidden during Soviet occupation. This movement eventually regained Lithuania Latvia and Estonia's independence without almost any blood shed. The People Power Revolution saw over two million Filipinos protest human rights violations election fraud and massive political corruption. These actions toppled Ferdinand Marcos and placed Corazon C. Aquino into power. The Tunisian Revolution began with the self-immolation of vegetable seller Mohamed Bouazizi in December 2010. It resulted in the overthrow of president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali on the 14th of January 2011.

• 5. Tools Of Resistance

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  Movements employ nonviolent resistance tactics such as information warfare picketing marches vigils leafletting samizdat magnitizdat satyagraha protest art protest music and poetry. Community education and consciousness raising often accompany these direct actions. Tax resistance civil disobedience boycotts or sanctions legal diplomatic wrestling Underground Railroads and general strikes form part of the toolkit. In 1880 Captain Charles Boycott faced social ostracism organized by the Irish Land League when he attempted to evict tenants. His workers stopped work in fields stables and his house while local businessmen stopped trading with him. The postman refused to deliver mail isolating him completely. During World War II citizens of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon risked their lives to hide Jews being rounded up by Nazis. They saved between 3,000 and 5,000 Jews from certain death through open defiance of Vichy government orders. The Baltic Way involved approximately two million people joining hands on the 23rd of August 1989 to form a human chain spanning 675.5 kilometers across three states. This act marked the 50th anniversary of the Molotov, Ribbentrop Pact between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany.

• 6. Perception And Gender

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  Although nonviolent movements can maintain broader public legitimacy by refraining from violence some segments perceive them as more violent than they really are. Research shows that perceived violence depends not only on tactics but also on the identity of participants. Protests led or dominated by women are generally seen as less violent than those led by men. This effect varies depending on whether female protesters conform to or challenge traditional gender norms. The Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace movement started by women praying and singing in a fish market ended the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003. In Bahrain protests began on the 14th of February 2011 inspired by regional Arab Spring events. The government responded harshly killing four protesters camping in Pearl Roundabout before allowing reoccupation where 150,000 participants staged large marches. Over 80 people died since the start of the uprising despite peaceful intentions. The White Wednesdays demonstrations in Iran protested compulsory hijab and sex discrimination through peaceful means.