One characteristic of nonviolent campaigns is that the entire community can and often does participate. Where gene sharp departed from gandhi waging nonviolence. Practitioners of nonviolent struggle have an entire arsenal of nonviolent weapons at their disposal. The methods of nonviolent intervention psychological intervention 158.
A guide to strategic planning for action to end a dictatorship or other oppression east boston, ma. Prof gene sharps list of methods of nonviolent action. Gene sharps the politics of nonviolent action is a landmark study of nonviolence in three volumes. The methods of nonviolent action describes nearly twohundred specific methods of nonviolent action. Furthermore, sharp has divided these methods into three general groups. Summary of methods of nonviolent action beyond intractability. Summary of methods of nonviolent action by gene sharp summary written by conflict research consortium staff citation. Sharp has been called the clausewitz of nonviolent warfare. Its also probably necessary to do so in order to convince military leaders to take it seriously, so its understandable in that respect. Gene sharp quotes author of from dictatorship to democracy. Prof gene sharp s list of methods of nonviolent action author. Gene sharps researched and catalogued these 198 methods and provided a rich selection of historical examples in his seminal work, the politics of nonviolent action. The methods of nonviolent action by gene sharp 19730603 paperback january 1, 1858 4. This definition is roughly in alignment with that of the leading researcher in the field, gene sharp, who writes.
Gene sharps researched and catalogued these 198 methods and provided a rich selection of historical examples in his seminal work, the politics of nonviolent action 3 vols. The history of nonviolent action is rich, diverse, and often overlooked. Merchants general strike action by holders of financial resources 86. Revisiting the methods of nonviolent action adds new methods of nonviolent action to the list of 198 methods categorized by gene sharp in 1973 in his book, the methods of nonviolent action.
Author bio stellan vinthagen is inaugural endowed chair in the study of nonviolent direct action and civil resistance and professor of sociology at the university of. Sharps achievement has been to classify methods of nonviolent action and catalogue hundreds of different techniques along with an extensive array of historical examples, writes brian martin in a critical take on sharps theory of power. The list was originally published in gene sharp, the methods of nonviolent action, boston. Sharp, senior scholar at the albert einstein institution, reveals that. Sharp is one of the most influential theoreticians of nonviolent action, and his publications have been influential in struggles around the world. Nonviolent campaign and social change 47 religious, humanitarian and political, and even range from trivial to the fundamentals. Jun 29, 2016 revisiting the methods of nonviolent action adds new methods of nonviolent action to the list of 198 methods categorized by gene sharp in 1973 in his book, the methods of nonviolent action.
The term nonviolent action refers to those methods of protest, noncooperation, and intervention in which the actionists, without employing physical violence, refuse to do certain things which they are expected, or required, to do. Below is the table of contents of gene sharps book the methods of nonviolent action, boston 1973. And, most important, it provides legitimacy to the new hierarchical regime. Nonviolent methods and the american civil rights movement. Nonviolent action united states institute of peace. Nonviolent protest is a group of methods which are largely limited to symbolic acts of disapproval of an action, policy, or regime. A widely read new york times story last week connected the nonviolent resistance in egypt with the academic work of an american scholar, gene sharp. Nonviolent direct action, gene sharp, nonviolence dgr book. Nonviolent political action is effective because it challenges the legitimacy of the regime. Dec 02, 20 nonviolent political action is effective because it challenges the legitimacy of the regime. The fourth section, working under repression, offers guidelines for how to. The methods of nonviolent action albert einstein institution. The third section, running the nonviolent campaign, teaches you more advanced skills, such as managing a nonviolent campaign.
Dec 29, 2009 the methods of nonviolent action published dec 29, 2009 last edit nov 20, 2010 from gene sharp, the methods of nonviolent action, boston 1973. Gene sharps second volume in the landmark nonviolence theory study, politics of nonviolent action, outlines 198 types of nonviolent action, including historical examples, divided into seven sections. Oct 02, 2018 sharps achievement has been to classify methods of nonviolent action and catalogue hundreds of different techniques along with an extensive array of historical examples, writes brian martin in a critical take on sharps theory of power. Sharp documents 23 significantand often successful20th century nonviolent struggles in a range of cultural and political contexts, and reaffirms nonviolent action as a realistic and powerful alternative to both passivity and violence. The impetus behind snap comes from case study research that highlights how grassroots activists, organizers, and peacebuilders engaged in nonviolent action and peacebuilding can use approaches from both fields together to strategically plan and more effectively prevent violence, address grievances, and advance justice. Despite historically significant, at times revolutionary, accomplishments over centuries and across continents, it is regrettably true that universities, social scientists, journalists and news media, diplomats, and policy makers often neglect to place a high priority on. Each of the methods on this list has been catalogued and documented by gene sharp in his book the politics of nonviolent action. Lockout all examples given by sharp are politically reactionary 84. The technique of nonviolent action gene sharp youtube.
Download pdf the politics of nonviolent action free online. He founded the albert einstein institution in 1983 to promote research, policy studies, and education on the strategic uses of nonviolent struggle in the face of dictatorships, war, genocide, and oppression. People of all ages, educational levels, classes are involved in some way. Gene sharp is one of the modern masters of nonviolence, and this series and specifically this book demonstrate why. Listed below are 198 of them, classified into three broad categories. Albert einstein institution, c1990 pdf at sharp, gene. It has been used to resist, and eventually prevent oppression as well as promotes change sharp, 2003. Learn about the axioms of nonviolence, the innermost thoughts of famous peace activists, the duty of civil disobedience, the power of nonviolent resistance, and how peace is every step. The methods of nonviolent protest and persuasion formal statements 1. Nonviolence can be applied personally as a way of life, or collectively as a. What sharp accomplished in his academic work, beginning with his 1973 threevolume opus the politics of nonviolent action, was to reframe nonviolence on positive, rather than normative, grounds. Rather, it opens the way for hard work and long efforts to build more just social, economic,and political relationships and the eradication of other forms of injustices and oppression.
How nonviolent struggle works albert einstein institution. His moral authority, economic resources, transport system, government bureaucracy, army, and policeto name but a few immediate sources of his powerrest finally upon the cooperation and assistance of other people. The technique of nonviolent action by gene sharp a rulers power is ultimately dependent on support from the people he would rule. Nonviolent direct action is a form of struggle which uses political, economic, or social leverage in an attempt to coerce the structures of power to change, up to and including complete abdication. Jan 01, 2017 learn about the axioms of nonviolence, the innermost thoughts of famous peace activists, the duty of civil disobedience, the power of nonviolent resistance, and how peace is every step.
Group or mass petitions communications with a wider audience 7. Gene sharp is the worlds foremost expert on nonviolent revolution. Inspired by gene sharps 198 methods of nonviolent action, this dynamic resource. The methods of nonviolent action published dec 29, 2009 last edit nov 20, 2010 from gene sharp, the methods of nonviolent action, boston 1973. Suppliers and handlers boycott action by owners and management 81. His work has been translated into more than 30 languages, his books slipped across borders and hidden from secret policemen all. First published in the politics of nonviolent action, vol. The methods of nonviolent action will be of interest to those seeking specific methods of.
The politics of nonviolent action is a threevolume political science book by gene sharp, originally published in the united states in 1973. Gene sharps researched and catalogued these 198 methods. He analyzed the work of people like mohandas gandhi, martin luther king, henry david thoreau, and leo tolstoy with a predominantly strategic eye. Gene sharp published his seminal trilogy, the politics of nonviolent action, in 1973. Nonviolent action refers to those methods of protest, resistance, and intervention without physical violence in which the members of the nonviolent group do, or refuse to do, certain things. Refusal of industrial assistance by other firms 85. I disagree with the way he compares nonviolence to a weapon system, but im more of a purist. List of 198 methods that groups can adopt to pursue nonviolent action, composed by prof gene sharp in his work the politics of nonviolent action. To understand what constitutes a method of nonviolent action, see the definition of the term nonviolent action. Martin agrees that sharp is the foremost writer in the world on the subject of nonviolent. Adapted from the 1973 gene sharp book the politics of nonviolent action. The book outlines each method and gives information about its historical use. The book is available from war resisters league, 339 layfayette st. Gene sharp, the worlds leading writer on nonviolent action, uses a theory of power based on a division between rulers and subjects and on the withdrawing of consent as the main avenue for.
In this introductory volume sharp discusses the nature of political power, why people obey rulers, the limitations of using violence, and how change can be. A global educator by jorgen johansen, published in 2016 during the most contentious presidential election campaign in u. Prof gene sharps list of methods of nonviolent action author. An important contribution in the field, a theory of nonviolent action is essential for anyone involved with nonviolent action who wants to think about what they are doing. The methods, theories and advice that he espoused over thirtyfive years ago have continually received praise. Nonviolent political action on the model of sharp is effective at regime change precisely because it does not challenge the underlying hierarchical political structure. Gene sharp s researched and catalogued these 198 methods and provided a rich selection of historical examples in his seminal work, the politics of nonviolent action 3 vols. Listed here are 198 of them, classified into three broad categories. Gene sharp background jaime gonzalez bernal part one power and struggle chapter one the nature and control of political power chapter two nonviolent action. The methods of nonviolent protest and persuasion formal statements.
Power and struggle, the methods of nonviolent action, and the dynamics of nonviolent action. Gene sharp outlines three methods of nonviolent action that serve to undermine unequal systems of power while encouraging the creation of innovative and alternative solutions sharp, politics of nonviolent action, 1973, pp. Gene sharp also identified 198 methods of nonviolent action which can be used in nonviolent campaigns and employed by many participants within each campaign. This monograph inspires readers that nonviolent action encompasses a big category of human activity and that new and old tactics are employed daily. Power and struggle begins with an analysis of the nature of political power. Sein bekanntestes buch the politics of nonviolent action 1973 liefert einen. Foreword when the great quaker leader, rufus jones, wrote an introduction to the first edition of the power of nonviolence, he observed that here is a new kind of book. Nonviolent direct action is a form of struggle which uses political, economic, or social leverage in an attempt to coerce the structures of power to change, up to. Gene sharp s second volume in the landmark nonviolence theory study, politics of nonviolent action, outlines 198 types of nonviolent action, including historical examples, divided into seven sections. This is a brief summary of power and struggle, part one of gene sharp s classic book the politics of nonviolent action. Nonviolent action defined global nonviolent action database.