Why nonviolence?
Non-violence is a very powerful weapon. Most people don't understand the power of non-violence and tend to be amazed by the whole idea. Those who have been involved in bringing about change and see the difference between violence and non-violence are firmly committed to a lifetime of non-violence, not because it is easy or because it is cowardly, but because it is an effective and very powerful way.
- Cesar Chavez
Nonviolence is a powerful and effective approach to social change which seeks to transform society using means which are consistent with the ends of a fair, just and peaceful world.
The direct actions of Greenpeace, the mass civil disobedience of Gandhi's Satyagraha, the lunch counter sit-ins of the civil rights movement - all these are examples of nonviolence in action.
The strategy and tactics of nonviolence have been used to topple dictators, end colonial rule, win workers' rights, end segregation, protect the environment and resist war and the nuclear arms race. It has been effective across a wide range of cultures and political regimes, and allows the participation of the broadest spectrum of society.
Nonviolence works from the notion that power is gained through co-operation and consent, and that we each have the freedom to co-operate with, or to withdraw co-operation from the institutions which govern us. It recognises the humanity of the oppressor, and through principled action, opposes the wrong without offering violence to the doer of the wrong.
Why use nonviolence?
The justifications for nonviolence are both principled and pragmatic. In the words of Bill Moyer, a US activist and founding member of the Movement for a New Society:
Nonviolence, unlike militaristic methods, allows most everyone to participate: women and men, elderly, youth and even children - people from all traditional levels of strength and weakness.
Nonviolence is based on timeless national, cultural, human and religious values and principles - such as love, understanding, forgiveness, caring, compassion, justice, democracy, equality, security and preservation.
Nonviolence appeals to these values and principles held by people and nations.
Nonviolence is less threatening to ordinary citizens.
In nonviolence, the means are consistent with the ends - they are the ends in the making.
Nonviolence has the capacity to reduce the effectiveness of state and police violence - the powerholders' ultimate weapon - and to turn it to the movement's advantage.
A clear policy of nonviolence makes it difficult for agent provocateurs to disrupt or discredit movements by promoting internal violence, hostility, dissention, dishonesty and confusion.
Nonviolence does not mean remaining passive in the presence of injustice, or withdrawing from conflict. A committment to nonviolence requires the courage to confront injustice and to embrace the conflict that erupts when widely held values are violated by those with vested interests.
Resources:
Why Nonviolence?
A 1978 paper from the Movement for a New Society exploring some of the key ideas behind nonviolent action.
Challenges to Nonviolence by Iain Murray
Some common questions about nonviolence and some possible answers.
The Mythology of Violence by Peter Ackerman and Jack DuVall
This excerpt from the book A Force More Powerful argues that the violent revolutionary movements of the 20th century came to paradigmatically equate violence with political change, "substituting violence by a few for participation by all".
The Sword That Heals by George Lakey
The author of Strategy For A Living Revolution responds to the arguments of 'anti-pacifist' Ward Churchill.
Another world is possible: Countering the (il)logic of political violence by Iain Murray
A response to the arguments of Craig Rosebraugh, author of The Logic of Political Violence.