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The concept of violence generally refers
to the destructive use of physical force against property or people. In the
concept of society, it also includes systems of oppression and domination.
Structural violence located in an organization in society may lead to
physical violence. Nonviolent action is a strategy of change which
incorporates several techniques such as nonresistance, active
reconciliation, passive resistance, noncooperation.
Conflicts are resolved by doing or refusing to do certain things, without
the use of physical force. While there are different types of nonviolence,
there are four major approaches to
nonviolence. as identified by Robert J. Borrowes in the Strategy of Nonviolent Defense.
These approaches are descriptive and not definitive and the strategies may
be combined if needed.
- Principled
nonviolence. The opponent is viewed as a partner in the struggle
to satisfy the needs of all. Nonviolence is a way of life and there is
a unity of means and end.
- Pragmatic
nonviolence. The opponent is an antagonist with incompatible
interests. The opponent has to be defeated, and suffering (except physical suffering) may be inflicted on the
opponent.
- Reformist
nonviolence. Practitioners identify certain policies as the cause of
social problems. They use campaigns to change these policies within
the social framework
- Revolutionary nonviolence. Practioners conduct a structural analysis of
political and economic relationships. They identify the shortcomings
and conduct campaigns for revolutionary structural change.
Learn More About
Nonviolence
Understanding Nonviolence.
Article by
Mark Shepard
Non-Violence: What Do We Mean?
Correcting Common Misconceptions About Nonviolent
Action. Article published by the Albert
Einstein Institution
Methods of Nonviolent Action.
Excerpt from
Gene Sharp, The Methods of Nonviolent Action
Historical Examples of Nonviolent Struggle
.
Published by
the Albert Einstein Institution
Nonviolence
in the 21st Century: Challenges and Choices. Article by Arun
Gandhi
Peace
Magazine
Annotated Bibliography of Nonviolent Action Training
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