Nonviolent Conflict vs Nonviolence or Passive Resistance - Article Example

Politics and Nonviolence Introduction Through centuries non violence political movements have played an important part has accomplished massive social change, toppling dictators, overthrowing colonial governments etc. Non violent action requires strong morality and will power courage self respect and strategy. Every major religion like Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, and Judaism, preachers its followers to sanctify and love human life and treat all human beings as part of family, but still there is a marked division in the world between people supporting violent means to meet the objectives and those desisting violence. Meaning of nonviolent conflict In a nonviolent conflict typical patterns are disruptive actions such as strikes and boycotts which are used by civilians; they form a part of a movement struggling for basic rights or justice, against their opponents to put them on constrain and defeat these opponents. Petitions, parades, walkouts and mass demonstrations mobilize and intensify the people’s participation with such protests. Non cooperation such as resignations, refusal or ban to pay fees and taxes, and civil disobedience is a means of protest against the operations of government. Other actions of direct agitation such as sit-ins, targeted acts of economic sabotage and blockades can challenge an autocratic ruler and resist such ruler’s methods to frighten and subjugate his people. These are the ways and means of carrying out nonviolent conflict, International Centre on Non violent conflict (2007). There is difference between nonviolent conflict and nonviolence or passive resistance Most of the people who believed and have used nonviolent as agitation tool or action have not been always primarily motivated by a indomitable desire to be nonviolent for its own sake or to make peace. It was their desire to fight for their rights or interests but they took the means other than bloodshed either because they saw that violence had been ineffective or they do not want any violent weapons at their disposal. According to the most powerful exponent of non violent movement Gandhi nonviolent action is “the greatest and most activist force in the world.” When a nonviolent movement takes a distinct path or a strategy aimed at inspiring and rousing the people and threatening their opponents’ main pillars of support like the strong loyalty of the police and military there is the strong possibility to have enough power and achieve victory. It is a possibility and there is nothing passive about garnishing that kind of power, International Centre on Non violent conflict (2007). The history of non violence in the world The demonstration for the "No" campaign, was held on October 1, 1988, before the plebiscite on permitting Gen. Augusto Pinochet to be elected again to the presidency of Chile. Other than the common belief, the British gave up their occupation of India after a decades-long nonviolent struggle for independence led by Gandhi. The Nazis were resisted nonviolently by Danes and other occupied nations of Europe in World War II, there by raising the costs of control of these nations by Germany and helping to strengthen the spirit and unity of their people. In the United States during the 1960’s African Americans opted for nonviolent action to resist and dissolve segregation. Polish workers adapted to strikes in 1980 to win the right to organize a free trade union, this is a historic event occurring first in communist countries. Filipinos and Chileans resorted to nonviolent campaigns to end the misrule of dictators in the 1980’s. The nonviolent civic movement in South Africa carried on boycotts and other sanctions to oppose and end the apartheid regime, forcing it to negotiate a different political future for the country. At the end of the 1980’s, both East Europeans and Mongolians rapidly mounted civilian-based protests to put pressure on communist governments, crumbling their hold on power end their misrule, Serbs ousted Slobodan Milosevic in 2000 after a nonviolent student movement was helped and co-opted by the police and military and divide his base of support, International Centre on Non violent conflict (2007). The background of leaders of nonviolent movements, such as Gandhi or the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior and others It is not a fundamental truth that leaders of nonviolent movements are charismatic but, Gandhi’s success with the Indian people is not based on personal charm or fiery oratory, but on his prolonged and consistent campaigns that enlisted Indians at all levels of society to take decisive action and control of their own lives and then slow but steadily dissociate and separate the British from ruling the country. Martin Luther King, jr. was a firebrand and inspiring speaker, but he and his lieutenants identified different and complicated ways for African Americans to put pressure on the system of discrimination and segregation and undercut its economic and political support so that talent would have made little difference. The leaders of the Danish underground resistance group to the Germans in World War II were entirely anonymous. Though leadership is crucial, still it depends on clear strategic thinking and bold decisions in the course of a conflict and its resolution. In Tiananmen Square movement the Chinese students who led the protest had sensational personalities, but their movement collapsed as it failed to organize it systematically and also failed to resist intelligently with the regime, International Centre on Non violent conflict (2007). Truth of nonviolent movement and weather it works only against humane society or only in a society that allows some degree of political democratic space for organizing such movement. The above statement is not true as some of the 20th century’s harshest oppressors were dethroned through nonviolent movements. There was the inhuman approach about General Pinochet’s practice of torturing and killing dissidents, but through a nonviolent strategy toppled him. The apartheid government in South Africa banned public assemblies in black townships and tried to silence or even assassinates and used oppressive and violent means against nonviolent organizers, but those who resisted were still able to attract and mobilize both internal and international support. Poland where little political space existed before solidarity opened up, both before and after the communist regime imposed martial law. Those who undermine and do not understand nonviolent conflict tend to reject its achievements, but millions who are free and who no longer live under communism, under military dictators, or under other oppressive and tyranny of such rulers destroyed by nonviolent movement would understand and agree, International Centre on Non violent conflict (2007). Nonviolent strategies to take power have not been more widely appreciated as expected and it’s successful use It is most unfortunate that the news and entertainment media through the navigation and support of editors, producers and reporters, and the opinion leaders whose views they reflect and publish, are preoccupied with violent news in ways they broadcast, write and talk about. That nurtures the wrong and mistaken impression that political changes that rewrite history is an essential offshoot and require or entail violence. And that in turn enforces the wrong belief that violence is the ultimate or even the exclusive form of achieving and usurping power, in conflicts with dictators, invaders and other violent blood thirsty rulers. But whereas the truth is that over the last hundred years, bloody tyrants and even military forces have been neutralized and overcome through the use of well calculated and managed strategic nonviolent struggle, International Centre on Non violent conflict (2007). The foreign policy and diplomacy of the United States and other major powers has taken into account the potential of nonviolent conflict resolution to promote democracy and human rights by overturning repressive rulers This is not often and not consistently followed specially in the 1990s, for example, the is one incident when U.S. applied strategic diplomacy to end Slobodan Milosevic’s aggression in Bosnia, but it declined and was hesitant to provide much support to his democratic opponents inside Serbia when they were perusing nonviolent action to oppose him but again when Milosevic later began ethnic cleansing and mass murder in Kosovo, NATO bombed Serbia until he stopped, but still he remained in power. Finally in 1999, U.S. and European agencies decided to extend and gave modest but strategic support to nonviolent pro-democracy groups in Serbia, and they finally removed Milosevic and brought down his oppressive regime. End of Milosevic’s terrorism once and for all happened by non violence, nonviolent resistance accomplished what both negotiating and bombing had both failed to achieve. Fortunately some policymakers and head of states in a number of national capitals are agreeing to the fact and realization that nonviolent campaigns usually produce democratic results, which in turn contribute to lasting peace and prosperity. This is likely to change the ways and means of peace and to make it permanent itself, International Centre on Non violent conflict (2007). The anti-globalization movement has taken by storm to the streets of Seattle, Goteborg, Genoa and other cities and is likely to achieve its goals Every movement should have a binding force so that it unites behind a few clear objectives, which are explained in terms of the everyday concerns of common people, because they are the people who choose the rulers who are responsible for the global institutions which the movement opposes peacefully. But to do that, the movement must first take a stance towards keeping itself unambiguously from the violent aspect that its street demonstrations lead to. A nonviolent movement weakens because of the sporadic use of violence by people on its side of the barriers, because that discourages civilians from coming out and joining the ranks, justifies repression, and distracts the media and the public from the real subject and injustices that the movement wants corrected, International Centre on Non violent conflict (2007). The significant nonviolent conflicts that are occurring in the world today and the nature and scope There are several ongoing nonviolent movements and nascent democratic and civilian movements that may lead to government changes; it will lead to new democracies and greater social justice for tens of millions of people. The Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi is a key figure and is leading a longtime nonviolent movement against the brutal military dictatorship in Burma. Nonviolent, pro-democracy forces opposed to the authoritarian ruler of Zimbabwe, Roberto Mugabe, are making obstacles and creating hurdles to end his repressive regime. Nonviolent resistance to the Chinese occupation of Tibet continues to build up and garner world support to free this mountain country. Democratic opposition groups in Belarus and Ukraine are enforcing civil movements and gathering impetus for new challenges to the repressive rulers of those nations. A number of courageous In Palestinian civilians are trying to shift the resistance to Israeli occupation to nonviolent movement by mobilization of mass movement. There is mass student protesters and other civilian dissidents in Iran and they continue to stage regular mass nonviolent demonstrations against the orthodox and arbitrary clerical rulers of that country. Pro-democracy dissidents in Cuba have consistently targeted and refused to give up in the face of Castro’s repression. These nations are on edge and certain that the regime will not be able indefinitely to oppress the people’s aspirations for genuine self-rule and democracy, International Centre on Non violent conflict (2007). History of Mass Nonviolent Movement The use of nonviolence can be traced back in history. There have been numerous instances of people courageously and nonviolently refusing to budge in front of injustice. However, the admixture of organized mass struggle and nonviolence is quite new. It was originated largely with Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in 1906 at the beginning of the South African campaign for Indian rights and including their human rights as well. Later on, the Indian freedom movement for complete independence from the British Empire included a number of spectacular historic nonviolent campaigns. Amongst them the most notable was the year-long Salt campaign in which 100,000 Indians were jailed for deliberately violating the Salt Laws, it led to mass protests and jail bharo (filling the jails) movements, Civil Disobedience Training. The refusal to counter the violence of the repressive social system with more violence and bloodshed is a strategy that has also been used by other movements also. The militant campaign which highlighted women's suffrage in Britain included a host of nonviolent tactics such as boycotts, non cooperation, limited property destruction, civil disobedience, mass marches and demonstrations, filling the jails, and disruption of public ceremonies etc and others. The Salvadoran people have used nonviolence as one powerful and necessary element of their struggle. Predominantly during the 1960s and 70s, Christian based communities, labor unions, campesino organizations, and student groups held demonstrations including occupations and sit-ins at universities, government offices, and places of work such as factories and haciendas. There is rich tradition of nonviolent protest in this country as well, important to mention here includes Harriet Tubman's Underground Railroad also during the civil war and Henry David Thoreau's refusal to pay war taxes. It is through nonviolent civil disobedience which played a critical factor where women first gained the right to vote in the United States, as well, Civil Disobedience Training. In the U.S. labor movement such as the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) free speech confrontations, the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) sit down strikes from 1935-1937 in auto plants, and the UFW grape and lettuce boycotts has also used nonviolence with striking effectiveness in a number of instances, Civil Disobedience Training. The civil rights movement changed the face of the South by using mass nonviolent action. The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) is the first to initiate modern nonviolent movement for civil rights with sit-ins and a freedom ride in the 1940s. The successful Montgomery bus boycott was historical and inspired the nation. Then, the early 1960s blasted with nonviolent actions like sit-ins at lunch counters and other facilities, organized by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC); Freedom Rides to the South organized by CORE; the nonviolent battles against segregation in Birmingham, Alabama, by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC); and 250,000 participants attended the 1963 March on Washington, Civil Disobedience Training. There were large scale opponents of the Vietnam War and they employed the use of draft card burnings, draft file destruction, mass demonstrations (as many as 500,000 demonstrators turned out in 1969 in Washington, D.C.), sit-ins, blocking induction centers, draft and tax resistance, and the historic 1971 May Day traffic blocking in Washington, D.C. which led to 13,000 people being arrested, Civil Disobedience Training. In the mid 1970s, there has been an increase in nonviolent activity it was against the nuclear arms race and nuclear power industry. Nonviolent civil disobedience actions have been organized at dozens of nuclear weapons research installations, storage areas, missile silos, test sites, military bases, corporate and government offices and nuclear power plants. In the late 1970s it spread as mass civil disobedience actions and it took place at nuclear power plants from Seabrook, New Hampshire to the Diablo Canyon reactor in California and most states in this country and in other countries around the world also like a chain reaction. In 1982, 1750 people were arrested at the U.N. missions of the five major nuclear power nations. Mass demonstrations took place at the Livermore Laboratories in California and SAC bases in the mid west. In the late 80s a series of actions took place at the Nevada test site. International disarmament demonstrations were the root cause of this changed world opinion about nuclear weapons, Civil Disobedience Training. In 1980 saw women’s movement in various forms like women who were concerned with the rapid destruction of the Earth and who were interested in finding the connections between feminism and nonviolence were coming together to enhance the power of this movement. November of 1980 and 1981 was an eventful month when the Women's Pentagon Actions occurred, where hundreds of women came together as they challenged patriarchy and militarism. A movement generated and it found ways to use direct nonviolent force to put pressure on the military establishment and to show positive and affirmative examples of constructive ways to live together. This movement spread across women's peace camps at military bases around the world starting from Greenham Common, England to Puget Sound Peace Camp in Washington State, with camps in Japan and Italy among others, Civil Disobedience Training. The foundation of anti-apartheid movement in the 1980s has been built upon the powerful and empowering base of use of civil disobedience by the civil rights movement in the 1960s. In November of 1984, a campaign began that involved daily civil disobedience in front of the South African Embassy. People, including members of Congress, national labor and religious leaders, celebrities, students, community leaders, teachers, and others, were at a risk of arrest every weekday for over a year. In the end over 3,100 people were arrested protesting apartheid and desisting U.S. corporate and government support to that. At the same time, support movement for this campaign was held in 26 major Cities, and it resulted in an additional 5,000 people being arrested, Civil Disobedience Training. It was seen that civil disobedience being incorporated as a key strategy in the movement against intervention in Central America, beginning in 1983, national demonstrations at the White House and State Department as well as all local struggles began to spread. In November 1984, the Pledge of Resistance was formed. Since then, the number of people have been arrested are over 5,000 at military installations, congressional offices, federal buildings, and CIA offices. Many people have also broken the law in the form of providing sanctuary for Central American refugees and through the Lenten Witness, it saw the participation of major denomination representatives in weekly nonviolent civil disobedience actions at the Capitol, Civil Disobedience Training. Amongst the Student activists civil disobedience in both their anti-apartheid and Central America work have been incorporated. The campus slogan of the 1980s began with divestment that has been incorporated. Students built shantytowns and staged sit-ins at Administrator's offices. Hundreds have been arrested resulting in the divestment of over 130 campuses and it led to the subsequent withdrawal of over $4 billion from the South African economy which affected it badly. Campaigns to protest CIA recruitment on campuses by Central America student activists have been carried out. This again, led to hundreds of students across the country been arrested in this effort, Civil Disobedience Training. Nonviolent direct movement has been an integral part for enforcement of their rights in the lesbian and gay community since 1987, when ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) was formed it led to the renewed activism by these community. ACT UP and other groups were behind hundreds of civil disobedience actions across the country, focusing not only on AIDS but on the increasing climate of homophobia and attacks on lesbians and gay men. On October 13, 1987, the site of the first national lesbian and gay civil disobedience demonstration, where nearly 600 people were arrested protesting the decision in Hardwick vs. Bowers, which upheld sodomy laws was the Supreme Court. This was the largest mass arrest in Washington D.C. since 1971, Civil Disobedience Training. Political Analysis Power itself is not the result of violence; however sometimes in governmental form it is violent in nature. Power is often maintained through oppression and the tacit compliance of the majority of the governed. If there is any significant withdrawal of that compliance it will restrict or dissolve governmental control. Apathy while facing injustice is a form of violence, often to correct injustice struggle and conflict are often necessary. Struggle is not easy, and one must not think of nonviolence as a "safe" way to fight oppression in fact it is most difficult. The very strength of nonviolence comes from how a person is dedicated and agreeing to take personal risk without hampering rights and lives of other people. The basic is that we separate the individual from the role she/he plays. The form of "enemy" should be the system that fits people in oppressive roles and negates their character, Civil Disobedience Training. Ways and means of practicing Nonviolence An important quote by one of the most powerful exponent of non violence is, "Without a direct action expression of it, nonviolence, to my mind, is meaningless." M.K. Gandhi One should practice in order to understanding nonviolence. A nonviolent approach it is important that people take active roles, making choices and commitments and rely on their experience. There is a constant challenge to adhere together the variations of individual experiences into an ever emerging vision. Non violence do not have any fixed, well conceited definition. Nonviolence is in active form, although to some the word may imply passivity, truly speaking nonviolence is actually an active form of resistance. It analyzes the sources of institutional violence and intervenes on a philosophical and political level through direct and persistent actions. In Gandhi's vision of nonviolence terms like "clinging to truth" or sometimes "truth force", which includes determination to speak out even when one's truth is unpopular, and willingness to hear the truth of other people's experience finds importance. Two other components of nonviolence are the refusal to harm others and willingness to suffer for one's beliefs which he defined, though many activists who apply nonviolent tactics are reluctant to accept these aspects philosophically, or to prescribe them to others. Third World people in the U.S. and other countries are often forced to use violent action to defend their lives is an important example. Some feminists point out that the decision to accept suffering is often enforced by our society and it puts pressure on women to be self-sacrificing the decision to accept suffering is often reinforcement of women's oppression rather than their free choice. Important to mention here that Jo Vellacott, in her essay "Women, Peace and Power", speaks of violence as "resourcelessness" as there is few option left and it seems that there is a fight against the universe. Many social institutions with their motive to benefit people but still they perpetuate this violence by depriving people of their lives, health, self-respect or hope. Removing violent actions involves oneself to remove misconceptions and belief that a person is not good enough or confident enough. The best way to do this is to try it, with friends or in small groups at first. As one’s confidence in own resourcefulness grows, one become to support each other in nonviolent actions, Civil Disobedience Training. Anger and emotional violence It is not easy to get rid of anger and violence it is not a very easy and polite process as our society may place us in; it involves releasing despair, anger, and other emotions that haven't been allowed to escape before. There is this myth that emotions are destructive and unreliable and it prevents any one from self trust which one experienced and forces to rely on preconceived concepts as authorities for guidance. It is taught that anger is disapproved and cannot be validated and it may lead to others being hurt even physically. This conditioning can help to rectify and control anger and be more sentimental empathetic towards others feelings. It can be stated that with anger people sometimes prove their existence and has the power to change things differently, as Barbara Deming says, "... our anger is in great part hidden -from others and even from ourselves -and when it is finally allowed to emerge into the open -- this pride -- it is shaking, unsure of itself, and so quick to be violent. For now it believes and yet it doesn't quite dare to believe that it can claim its rights at last." A general respect and support helps to make room for a healthy expression of and response to this anger. The antithesis of respect and communication is verbal violence snide or vicious tones, interrupting, shouting down or misrepresenting. When people sense this happening, they should take a pause and place their feelings and objectives in priority. When people feel defensive or threatened their nerves should be relaxed by making explanation; a sense of safety and acceptance of our anger with each other should be developed it helps us concentrate all our emotional energies towards constructive and effective action. Wally Nelson, conscientious objector, civil rights activist, and tax resister coined this important statement which states that; "Non-violence is the constant awareness of the dignity and humanity of oneself and others; it seeks truth and justice; it renounces violence both in method and in attitude; it is a courageous acceptance of active love and goodwill as the instrument with which to overcome evil and transform both one self and others. It is the willingness to undergo suffering rather than inflict it. It excludes retaliation and flight", Civil Disobedience Training Bibliography International Centre on Non violent conflict, 2007 viewed 21st January 2010 http://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/faq.shtml#top Civil Disobedience Training viewed 23rd January 2010 http://www.actupny.org/documents/CDdocuments/PracticingNV.html Non-violent direct action Anthill Social viewed 22nd January 2010 http://www.theanthillsocial.co.uk/projects/non-violent-direct-action Beckwith, Karen Women, Gender, and Nonviolence in Political Movements American Political Science Association The College of Wooster Political Science & Politics (2002), 35:1:75-81 Chernus, Ira Nonviolent Thought Through U.S. History 2009 viewed 21st January 2010 http://www.america.gov/st/democracy-english/2009/March/20090309110018ebyessedo3.197879e-02.html Cortright, David, 2009Gandhi and Beyond: Nonviolence for a New Political Age, Second Edition Read More