NOTES ON NONVIOLENCE

Note:  at this time these notes are in draft form

Nonviolence can be

1)  a way of life

2) a way to resist injustice, i.e.. action/struggle against political and social injustices, and

3) a way to build community.  (or  a method of action, a way of life, philosophy, building alternatives)

Nonviolence philosophy derived from

1) personal change approaches and personal growth,

2) Marxism,

3) feminism, and

4) anarchism. 

Nonviolence vision: 

-  peace,

-  ecological harmony,

-  social justice,

-  economic well-being,

-  political participation. 

Nonviolence goal:  redistribution of power

Nonviolence principles:

-  cooperation rather than competition

-  respect for others

-  focus on process more rather than task

-  respect for non-humans, earth and self

-  human sided organizations, not huge, non-hierarchical

-  inclusive

-  sustainability

-  stopping use of "us and them" syndrome

-  supporting alternative institutions by using them

-  determination and persistence, conviction

-  sharing, honesty, trust

-  simplicity

-  strength

-  accuracy, truth

-  balance between common good and individual

-  minimal consumption

Revolutionary theories of social change: require at least a model of power, structural analysis, vision and strategy, e.g.: 

-         Marxism:  analysis of class

-         Feminism:  analysis of patriarchy

-         Anarchism:  analysis of the role of the state

-         Nonviolence

Philosophy of revolutionaty Nonviolence

-         unique conception of nature of power

-         wide range of structural analysis

-         imaginative social visioning

-         nonviolent action as basis of strategy

-         purpose to undermine opponent’s sources of power

Nonrevolutionary theories of social change:  strategy is for change to be through reform, e.g.: 

-         Liberalism

-         Conservatism

-         Personal growth with no collective effort

Q:  How do you live up to these principles? 

What stops us from living up to these principles?

Nonviolence strategy:  undermining source of opponent's power. 

Historical view of power:  male, violent, white and European. 

Nonviolence view of power:  exists in webs or networks, held by people, not necessarily aware of power, dispersed, people have power have choice, mobilize, degree to organize. 

NONVIOLENCE STRATEGY

-  consensus decision-making

-  nonviolent conflict resolution

-  collective process

Strategy Wheel - Framework

1)  consider what nonviolence means for campaign

2)  consider the organization - decision-making processes and structures

3)  consider leadership structure and process for ongoing strategic coordination

4)  prepare for nonviolent struggle - research, education, solidarity links

5)  consider communication systems within campaign and with others

6)  gauge an appropriate time frame and stages and sub-campaigns for goals

7)  implement a constructive program for individuals and communities

8)  evaluate and reevaluate plan

9)  choose tactics in relation to strategic aims

10) make a list of specific demands according to guidelines

11)  develop an understanding/analysis of the total political picture

NONVIOLENT ACTION is: 

1)  nonviolent

2)  truthful

3)  open and not secretive

4)  respects the opponent and third parties

5)  undermines the opponent's source of power

6)  focuses attention on the conflict between human values and emotions

7)  is designed to involve people

8)  is designed to empower

9)  is consistent with the long term nonviolent revolutionary strategy

Types of nonviolent action:  (G. Sharpe, R. Burrowes)

Nonviolence matrix/nonviolence action classification:  (R. Burrowes)

                                    PRINCIPLED

REFORMIST                                                              REVOLUTIONARY

                                    PRAGMATIC

Commitment dimension indicates the nature of commitment to nonviolence, approach to conflict including means and ends relationships, and attitudes towards opponents: 

1)  Principled:  ethical reasons, means to an end unity, morals, way of life

2)  Pragmatic:  it works, to win, to defeat opponent

Revolutionary dimension indicates:  types of analysis, ultimate aim and operational time frame: 

3)  Reformist:  just to get reforms, elite policies are problem, short to medium term

4)  Revolution:  to change the world, structural analysis, need fundamental changes, long term