Introduction
These new resources (publication and webinar) from the International Center of Nonviolent Conflict ICNC add 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. They inspire, analyze, and summarise Dr. Sharp’s tactics and update his work by documenting additional methods of nonviolent action and scholarship.
Summary
As with weapons of violence, the weapons of civil resistance are numerous, diverse, and ever-evolving. In addition to strikes, boycotts, mass demonstrations and other widespread actions, new tactics are regularly being invented as civil resisters adapt to opportunities, challenges, and tactics by their opponents.
The expanding repertoire of nonviolent tactics (sometimes referred to as methods by researchers like Gene Sharp) is a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of activists around the world. Exploring new tactics—the primary purpose of this monograph—is not just a simple documentation or classification exercise. Studying each individual method opens up a world of civil resistance stories in various places and times. Each method offers insight into people’s perseverance and resilience in the face of repression, demonstrating not only a drive to fight for rights, freedom, and justice, but also the need to be innovative and adaptive in leading resistance struggles.
This monograph opens by introducing terms and fundamental concepts in civil resistance, followed by trends and underlying factors driving the growth of new civil resistance tactics worldwide. It then identifies shortcomings in the current categorization of tactics and offers an expanded list of new tactics as well as a refined framework for cataloging them. Finally, it offers clear takeaways for activists and practitioners, experts, researchers in the field, and others who are interested in supporting nonviolent movements effectively.
Contents
- Summary
- Introduction
- Why Study Civil Resistance Tactics?
- Main Findings of this Study
- Classifying Tactics: A Guiding Framework
- Monograph Overview
CHAPTER 1. Basics of Civil Resistance
- Defining Civil Resistance
- Mechanisms of Change
- Historical Examples
- Components of Civil Resistance
- Tactics
- Duration of a Tactic
- Campaigns
- Movements and Grand Strategy
- Universality and Context
CHAPTER 2. Accounting for Tactical Innovation and Variety of Nonviolent Tactics
- Digital Technology: Growth and Documentation
- Arts-based and Cultural Resistance
- Human Rights Activism
- Diffusion of Knowledge About Civil Resistance
- Tactical Innovation from Women and Sexual/Gender Minorities
- Resistance to the Rise of Global Corporate Power
- Ongoing Repression
- Competition for Public Attention
- Competition for Resources among Groups within a Movement
- Natural or Human-induced Disasters
CHAPTER 3. Categorizing Nonviolent Tactics
- Sharp’s Classification of Nonviolent Methods
- Disruptive and Constructive Resistance
- Ebert’s Categorization of Nonviolent Tactics
- Mechanisms of Nonviolent Direct Action
- Categorizing based upon Constructive/Persuasive and Confrontational/Coercive Inducements
- Alternative Classifications of Nonviolent Tactics
- Civil Resistance Against Occupation
- Civil Defense
- Civil Resistance Against Corruption
- Everyday Resistance Against Structural and Institutional Dominance
- “Power-Breaking” Categorizations
CHAPTER 4. Mapping New Civil Resistance Tactics
CHAPTER 5. New Civil Resistance Tactics: Selection Criteria, Descriptions, and Examples
- The Criteria for Selecting New Civil Resistance Tactics
- Tactics of “Saying” Something (Protest and Appeal)
- Human Body as the Primary Medium of Expression
- Material Art as the Primary Medium of Expression
- Digital/Internet Technology as the Primary Medium of Expression
- Human Language as the Primary Medium of Expression
- Tactics of “Not Doing” (Noncooperation and Refraining)
- Noncooperation Tactics: Confrontational Acts of Omission
- Political Noncooperation
- Social Noncooperation
- Economic Noncooperation
- Refraining: Constructive Acts of Omission
- Tactics of Commission: “Doing or Creating” Something (Disruptive and Creative Interventions)
- Disruptive Intervention: Confrontational Acts of Commission
- Political/Judicial Disruptive Intervention
- Economic Disruptive Intervention
- Social Disruptive Intervention
- Physical Disruptive Intervention
- Psychological Disruptive Intervention
- Creative Intervention: Constructive Acts of Commission
- Political/Judicial Creative Intervention
- Economic Creative Intervention
- Social Creative Intervention
- Physical Creative Intervention
- Psychological Creative Intervention
CHAPTER 6. On the Edges of Civil Resistance Tactics
- Everyday Resistance
- Property Destruction and Transformation
- Suicide
- Third-party Nonviolent Actions
- Negotiation and Dialogue
- Lobbying
- Logistical Support Activities for Nonviolent Tactics
- Psychological Attack
- Actions Seemingly without a Strategic Goal
CHAPTER 7. Key Takeaways
- Takeaways for Activists
- Takeaways for Civil Resistance Scholars and Students
- Takeaways for Groups Interested in Supporting Nonviolent Campaigns
- Cited Bibliography
- Universe of Nonviolent Tactics
- Appendix
- Bibliography
- Appendix: Universe of Nonviolent Tactics
- Acknowledgements
- Tables and Figures
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About the Author and Presenter
Michael Beer serves as the Director of Nonviolence International, an innovative and respected Washington DC based nonprofit promoting nonviolent approaches to international conflicts. Since 1991 he has worked with NVI to serve marginalized people who seek to use nonviolent tactics often in difficult and dangerous environments. This includes diaspora activists, multinational coalitions, global social movements, as well as within countries including Myanmar, Tibet, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Palestine, Cambodia, East Timor, Iran, India, Kosovo, Zimbabwe, Sudan, and the United States. Michael Beer has special expertise in supporting movements against dictators and in support of global organizing for justice, environment, and peace. Michael co-parents two teenagers with his patient life partner, Latanja.” (Source)