Why Nonviolence?2 - PDF document

Why Nonviolence?2 pro-nuclear policies of our countryÕs ruling power struc-Public awareness of the theory and practice of non-oppressive regimes through nonviolent action. Theporary applications, so as to help dispel some of themystery and clarify the controversies. Although in his-said relatively little about nonviolent personal philoso-and strategies comes out of popular struggles; we write asshaping a more humane, more just society.political circumstances.Nonviolent action takes three main forms: 1) pro-test and persuasion, 2) noncooperation, and 3) interven-speechmaking, picketing, petitions, vigils, be comparatively insignificant; when the views expressedpolicy, even the mildest of them may require great cour-refuse to act in ways which are considered ÒnormalÓÑtoÒbusiness as usualÓ in offices, the streets, or elsewhere, Why Nonviolence?3 in the mainstream of the contemporary world. VirtuallyÒbelieve in nonviolenceÓ? What is the difference betweensurvive today, they may rarely use the nonviolent meth-A second, more worldly nonviolence, which mayproblems, disliking anything akin to ÔagitationÕ or Ôtrou-called advocates of Òmoral resistance.Ó Although advo-tion at induction centers, reflected this outlook, shared bymany individual pacifists.into use until the twentieth century) suffer from signifi-disobedience and the value of nonviolent resistance werecould generate. While his contribution was overwhelm-ingly positive, it is also true that his experimental, un-systematic approach and personal charisma make itpeculiar to Indian society, or which expressed his per-sonal eccentricities, from those aspects of nonviolentaction of possible universal application.It is through nonviolent direct action campaigns inbecome aware of nonviolence and nonviolent methods. Infact, despite the many violent aspects of American his- Why Nonviolence?4 nonviolence. Staughton Lynd has noted that ÒAmericanonviolent idealÓ The use of methods which in retrospect werights during the nineteenth century used civil disobedi-Less well known, but highly significant, was the plan ofagreed on a program which included both economicboycotts (nonconsumption, nonimportation, and nonex-people to work actively against other kinds of injustice.Although frequently undramatic, the work accomplishedin ending racial segregation in prisons where they them-selves were held, and took part in the first ÒFreedomnations, the powerful symbolism of the voyages suc-ceeded in boosting the morale of the anti-nuclear move-ment, thus giving a real impetus to the public sentimentMontgomery, Alabama, which began in December 1955,King, Jr., attained national prominence as a spokespersonin the struggle, demonstrating that nonviolence could winfirst Òsit-inÓ was undertaken by four Black college stu-campaign issued by the pacifist Fellowship of Recon-small groups of activists whose demands were widelyperceived as just, new court decisions began to legitimizethe changes for which people were struggling. As cam-such groups as the Southern Christian Leadership Con-KingÕs important role as a spokesperson and moral sym-bol of the struggle has frequently led to an underempha-their own potential in pursuit of justice and human com-munity.The civil rights movement had enormous and last-created a body of people with a shared moral and politi-poverty, and sexism. This achievement was often mini-mized by those who became increasingly radicalized by Why Nonviolence?5 sometimes took for granted the gains which had beenmade at such cost. The death of Dr. King in 1968 duringof the Trotskyist movement. But he became convincedA concise expression of such a politics, surpris-decentralized, democratic socialism guaranteeing worker-consumer control of industries, utilities, and other eco-nomic enterprises. We believe that the workers them-down strikes and seizure of plants. We believe that revo-the rank and file, and not by deals or reformist propos-magazine, founded by Muste inDeming, Sidney Lens, Staughton Lynd, and others, a newcontinued many of the emphases of the earlier nonviolentconception of Òthe good lifeÓ based on compulsive con-better ways to ÒempowerÓ people through training pro-dynamics, and relevance todayBefore discussing the theory and dynamics of non-of principled nonviolence often play, most instances of Why Nonviolence?6 ÒDe-developing the U.S. Through Nonviolence,Ó Move-initial numbers, but the ability to organize a local cam-paign with drama, crises, and other socio-dramatic ele-into a full-fledged movement. The strategy of the cam-The Dynamics of Nonviolent ActionThe conventional view of power is that it is some-in soldiers, authority, ownership of wealth, and institu-different: rather than seeing power as something pos-refuse to obey rulers, the rulersÕ power begins to crum-dramatic historical episodes of GandhiÕs civil disobedi-1944 overthrows of dictators in both Guatemala and Elunderstanding these dynamics. Gene SharpÕs later chap-ter titles in In a planned nonviolent campaign, laying thetactics, making contingency plans, training, etc. Nonvio-to nuclear power but donÕt plan to do anything about it;people oblivious to the issue; people hostile to Òenviron-Òlawbreakers should be punished,Ó but will limit them-police and perhaps National Guardspeople whose job it isto counter the demonstrators, but whose personal atti-how activists seek to influence people with various view-The actions of the main social actors potentially af-sides are not fighting each other directly, but also com-



























































Note comments above regarding the successful use of non- Why Nonviolence?7 third parties or Òthe general public.Ótheir goals. If they maintain solidarity and discipline,Òpolitical jujitsu,Ó in which the repressive efforts them-Nonviolent action is not dependent on the oppo-Most of the methods mobilize political strength regard-may occur: for example, Daniel Ellsberg, who releasedto speak out against the growing threat of nuclear catas-opponentÕs will. One example is the refusal by all work-declared unecological (AustraliaÕs Ògreen bansÓ); anotherunpopular war. Most commonly the outcome is deter-Concessions may also be granted to halt the conscious-ness-raising process of struggle which would lead people
          Why Nonviolence?8 Although successful nonviolent struggle has be-come familiar in domestic politics, even those withCan nonviolent action counter international aggres-that nonviolence wonÕt work against fascist or Commu-1968-69, the Czechoslovakians, using nonviolent resis-more compliant one. And after sixteen months of un-writing, to suppress PolandÕs Solidarity movement com-permanent end to the evils of dictatorship?Besides the relevance of nonviolence in the strug-political parties in the Nether-nonviolent action in an often violent and dangerous worldorder are only beginning to become apparent.Q:ItÕs oppressive to force people who donÕthas requirements. Because most people fear and disap-violence, its occurrence undermines the dynam-have a responsibility to insist on training and a commondiscipline to minimize its outbreak. Opponents consis-Q:Why do we need to inform our opponents ofprovocateurs and informers. Secrecy thus contributes toEqually important are the positive effects of open-ness. It is consistent with our purpose of educating the Why Nonviolence?9 One aspect of this deserves particular attention: re-agents of an unjust system whose authority should there-fore not be respected. ÒWorking withÓ police by inform-(though often itÕs ordered from above), itÕs in our inter-hostility toward police is misplaced; the truly transfor-Q:IsnÕt it foolish to try to practice nonviolencecause behavior and attitudes influence each other, sub-unable to love their opponents toward violence as theQ:Demanding nonviolent behavior from op-impulses that have long been treated as distinct, Ômascu- rights belonging to any person Ð mineQ:What about property destruction? Can it bebe an effective tactic but must always be evaluated ac-cording to whether it will be understood primarily as ÒaQ: We tried nonviolence, but it didnÕt work.is quicker any-way.Ó Usually it means that a group tried a few nonvio-not to use violent repression when challenged nonvio- Why Nonviolence?10 It is important to separate our feelings of despera-ÒvictoryÓ impede the development of any kind of effec-without their full costs being weighed. Given that non-violence is in what Dellinger calls the ÒEdison and Mar- (2000).Strate- (1994). Excellent discussion ofthe strategic use of nonviolent action. (1985). Useful general introduction to nonviolent(1984). The most importantfeminist theoretician of nonviolence.Moving Toward a New So-(1976). Analysis, vision, and strategy for a nonvio-(revised ed. 1985). Nonviolent strategic approach.The Politics of Nonviolent Action Why Nonviolence?Introduction to Nonviolence Theory and StrategyWritten in 1978 by Bob Irwin and Gordon Faison;edited by David H. Albert(Revised December 1983 by Bob Irwin)(Scanned and adapted in 2001 by Peter Woodrow)(Prepared for posting on the Web by Randy Schutt, September 2002) Copyright © New Society Publishers, 19842001 Editorial Note: This article was first written in 1978 and revised in 1983. It was written,therefore, before the triumph of the Solidarity movement in Poland, the toppling of the Marcosregime in the Philippines, the fall of numerous communist regimes in Eastern Europe, and thedefense of the Yeltsin government in RussiaÑall through largely nonviolent means.