Civil resistance

Democracy Resource Hub

The Democracy Hub has a wide range of nonviolent tools and resources for anti-authoritarian and pro-democracy organizing.

A group of police officers stand side by side, surrounded by seated activists with arms interlinked.

Nonviolent Direct Action (NVDA): Start Here

Suggestions from the Commons Librarians about resources to explore in the Nonviolent Direct Action topic area, including NVDA theory, practical guides and case studies.

Hold the Line: A Guide to Defending Democracy

Learn what “red lines” needed to be held during the election, step-by-step information for organizing in your community, and lessons from the field of civil resistance that can be applied to make change on a range of issues.

Working Tirelessly for Peace and Equality Civil Resistance and Peacebuilding in Liberia

Examining approaches of the various actors involved in civil resistance and peace building throughout each phase of conflict in Liberia.

Organising Stories and Lessons from the 350 Organising Story Telling Lab

Collection of different case studies / stories of organising and movements from across the globe collated and presented by 350.org.

How to Win Well: Civil Resistance Breakthroughs and the Path to Democracy

Civil resistance-Moving from dictatorship to democracy. Negotiations & elections are the breakthroughs that lead to more democratic outcomes.

The Role of External Support in Nonviolent Campaigns: Poisoned Chalice or Holy Grail?

Civil resistance-Moving from dictatorship to democracy. Negotiations & elections are the breakthroughs that lead to more democratic outcomes.

Title reads The trifecta of civil resistance. A yellow triangle with a photo of protesting in side. Each side of the triangle has a word - Unity, planning, discipline.

The Trifecta of Civil Resistance: Unity, Planning, Discipline

3 attributes can make the difference between success and failure for nonviolent movements around the world: unity, planning, & nonviolence.

Nonviolent Action and Pro-Democracy Struggles

The main issue is that the US government’s “democracy promotion” agenda has provided repressive regimes with an excuse to label popular pro-democracy movements challenging them as foreign agents, even when led by independent grassroots nonviolent activists.

SNAP: Synergizing Nonviolent Action and Peacebuilding: An Action Guide

A strategic framework for activists, peacebuilders, and organizers working to transform violent conflict and advance a just peace.

Violence and the Backfire Effect

There are ways that social movements and organizers can handle violence to their advantage and why violence can backfire.

Beautiful Action Trainer Modules (BATMo): Resources for Nonviolent Action Trainers

People Power, Civil Resistance and Nonviolent Action NVA Trainers and Facilitators – Lists of training activities from Beautiful Trouble.

Bridge Building and Power Building: An Ecosystem Approach to Social Change

Better understand how the work of activists, bridge-builders, and organizers can reinforce one another as well as be in constructive tension.

A woman standing in front of large crowd giving a speech. She has one hand pointing up to the sky. Many in the crowd are filming her on their mobile phones. The picture on the cover was taken during the nonviolent conflict that ended Sudan’s reign of terror under Omar al-Bashir.

Protected: The Checklist to End Tyranny: How Dissidents will Win 21st Century Civil Resistance Campaigns

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

Australian Campaign Case Study: Stop Adani, 2012 – 2022

Learn about the Divestment campaign case study in Australia which aimed to secure commitments from institutions to divest from fossil fuels.

a peace dove in the colours of the Ukranian flag

Perspectives on Ukrainian Civil Resistance

The following articles include opinion pieces on the current situation in Ukraine, the case for nonviolent civil resistance, information about the successful nonviolent Orange Revolution of 2014, and ways to keep up to date on the unfolding war.

Change Makers (Text on orange background)

Changemaker Chat with Samuel Chu: Community Organising in the US for Hong Kong Democracy

Samuel Chu – founder of Hong Kong Democracy Council in the US – discusses the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement and international solidarity.

Social movements and the (mis)use of research: Extinction Rebellion and the 3.5% rule

Extinction Rebellion member Kyle R Matthews explores how scholarship regarding civil resistance campaigns seeking regime change has been used by environmental activists.