nonviolent action - technique by which people can address conflict without using violence

 3 categories of nonviolent action

 1) nonviolent protest and persuasion

demonstrations

vigils

pickets

use of posters

street theatre

painting

protest meetings

2) noncooperation - most common form

sanctuary (Waco, Freeman)

strikes

boycotts

tax resistance

boycotts of legislative bodies and elections

civil disobedience - deliberate, open, and peaceful violation of particular laws, regulations, or instructions that are believed to be morally objectionable or unreasonable

3) nonviolent intervention - disruption or destruction of behavioral patterns, policies, relationships, or institutions that are considered unacceptable

disruptive class of actions

nonviolent blockades and occupations

fasting

seeking imprisonment

overloading facilities

creative class

establishing alternative political, economic, and social institutions

cooperatives

ethical investment groups

alternative schools

energy exchange cooperatives

parallel media, communications, and transport networks

Ghandi's conceptions of society and the individual

 Society:

- rejection of captitalism

competitive markets

private property

parliamentary system of democracy

judicial system

- rejection of socialism

conflict is not a class war

state ownership and centralization are not conducive to common welfare

  His vision is based on a decentralized network of self-reliant and self-governing communities using property held in trust with a weak central apparatus to perform residual functions. Individuals must be self-reliant because exploitation is the essence of violence.

 "The nonviolent transformation of society depended on the nonviolent transformation of the individual."

 "A part of the strategy was the deliberate and voluntary reduction of wants."

 The usual description of Gandhian nonviolence stress its morality, humility, and sacrifice while neglecting the fundamental norm that you should follow *your* inner voice whatever the consequences.

 There is a quest for *self-realization* which is achieved through service to humanity.

 In Gandhi's view, violence is anything that impedes individual self-realization. Can be:

direct

structural

 In Gandhi's view, conflict is positive and desirable

- reminds antagonists of the deeper, perhaps transcendental unity of life

- is inherent in the structure of society, not the individual (Gandhi has a positive conception of people)

 Conflict resolution

"satyagraha" - relentless search for truth and a determination to reach truth (nonviolent action)

- a way of struggling that is goal-revealing

3 basic approaches

- noncooperation or "decoupling" with opponents role in the context of the social structure

- willingness to compromise when basic principles had not been challenged (desire to cooperate with opponents)

- synthesis or transcendence (create new choices)

- converts the opponent into a friend as part of the process

- not *against* someone, it is done *with* someone

- satygraha is not a set of techniques but is linked with the norms of violence that govern attitudes and behavior

- an action or campaign that ignores the attitudinal and behavioral norms characteristic of satyagraha cannot be classified as Ghandian nonviolence

- willingness to undergo suffering

For Gandhi, conflict resolution is only one aspect of the desired outcome--resolution also implies the creation of a superior social structure (greater self-reliance). The aim is neither to harm the opponent nor impose on them a solution against their will.

ingredients for success

- attitude of respect and goodwill toward the opponent

- adherence of truth

- maintenance of discipline

- belief in human unity

(and a steady series of deeds in accord with these)

 Critiques of Reformist and Pragmatic Approaches to Nonviolent Action

 Reformist approach - problems are independent of political framework and can be remedied through internal reform

-inadequate because social conflict is structural in origin

 Pragmatic approach - nonviolent action is the most effective approach. Belief in divisibility of means and end, a conception of conflict in terms of incompatible interests, and a negative conception of the opponent.

-inadequate because means and end are the same, the goal is to defeat the opponent

-usually accompanied by negative view of opponent--may lead to their dehumanization--highly counterproductive

-no attempt to seek unity with opponent

According to Gandhi, dehumanization is not a prologue to violence, it *is* violence

 Gandhian approach:

- there is no separation between means and ends

- presupposes the unity of life

- nonviolence not limited to human beings (ahimsa)

- self-suffering is important (ultimate test of love in action)

- intention and capacity to radically transform human relationships (makes it unique of political action)

* if suffering is to be functional, it must be designed to elicit respect rather than rejection or condemnation

Ways to elicit respect:

sincerity

openness

commitment to an ideal

outward displays of fealessness and dignity even in the face of threats

good humor

maintenance of nonviolent discipline

displays of goodwill toward oppenents

 Gandhi's conception of power

2 kinds

-one based on fear of punishment

-one based on acts of love (much more effective)

- the key to countervailing power is power-over-oneself

- non-violent coercion is an important tool for many pragmatic exponents of non-violent action but it was never acceptable to Gandhi because inconsistent with the moral development of the conflicting parties

- motive and intent are determinative in deciding whether an action is coercive

- some authors believe satyagraha to be coercive