By Peter Ackerman A Force More Powerful: A Century of Non-Violent Conflict

by Peter Ackerman

Excellent Book

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics, Sociology, Social Justice, Activism, School

Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Peter Ackerman is series editor and principal content advisor for the documentary television series, A Force More Powerful. He holds a PhD in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts University, of which he is now Chairman of the Board of Overseers.

Reviews

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Ackerman and Jack DuVall start A Force More Powerful out with a seemingly audacious claim -- that nonviolent resistance and action is superior to its violent counterpart not morally (although probably this too) but practically. Even after the disastrous wars of the past decade pacifism seems quaint and idealistic, even sacrificing results for one's own moral purity. To seem serious political leaders can only oppose war on tactical and not moral ground. But through many examples from 20th century history around the world Ackerman and DuVall actually make a fairly good case for the supremacy of nonviolent force.

Almost all of A Force More Powerful is historical example, showing how nonviolent resistance has been used throughout the century and its successes and failures. These histories are tightly written and very accessible, other than requiring a decent memory for foreign names and acronyms. Analysis is mostly practical, focusing on specific nonviolent tactics and their effectiveness in these particular situations. If anything this book could do with a bit more theory, and there was surely room for a more universal argument in the 500 pages.

These stories and their ability to convince are somewhat undermined by their authors' biases. It's obvious that Ackerman and DuVall want to prove their thesis and will be using the best evidence for it, and they can't really be begrudged for that, but there are definitely points where contradicting facts are rushed past. The authors also have a knee-jerk anti-communist bias, while at the same time portraying America's support for some of the brutal dictatorships described here as mere nonaction.

A Force More Powerful overall makes a fairly convincing argument and is a surprisingly engrossing read. The modern age poses several new problems for nonviolent action to adapt too. Ackerman and DuVall have shown how dictators can be overthrown without violence, but what tactics can we use when faced with democratic states ran by corporations and public apathy? How can we act quickly enough to deal with issues like climate change? These questions and more will have to be dealt with by 21rst century activists, but A Force More Powerful at least provides a good starting point.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw Ackerman speak-- he's an interesting guy. Even better than the book is the companion documentary. Although I don't identify as catagorically pacifist, both the book and the film do a wonderful job of radicalizing nonviolence, and illustrating joy in revolution. Bust it up, ya'll.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books of case studies about nonviolence, especially for one new to the subject. Also a surprisingly fun read.

[Chelsea Usher · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful case studies for peace studies.

[Kaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate the angle this book took: that nonviolence is not simply a moral choice, but also a powerful strategy to effect societal and political change. The authors use nonviolent movements from throughout the 20th century, not all of them successful, to illustrate how these strategies worked and why some of them failed. Reading it did bring up a few questions for me, like is there ever an instance when nonviolence is doomed from the start (the Rwandan genocide is one situation that comes to mind)? Overall I think this book is effective in showing that not only can nonviolence work, but that it has worked and that it should not be dismissed when oppressed groups are looking to overthrow a corrupt system or protect their way of life.

[Ally · Rating 3 out of 5]

i fundamentally disagree with their thesis that violence is *never* the answer & non-violence is *always* the answer. they also perpetuate quite a bit of anti-communist rhetoric, conflating it to be as bad as nazism at times. it was still useful to read critically & learn more about peace movements throughout the 20th century, however.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book: eye-opening, gap-filling, and educational without being preachy. Way more reasons to be nonviolent than to race to war. This book helps one to see them and their value.

[Allee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only bothered finishing this book because of the many glimpses it gave into chapters of history that I didn't really know about all across the globe (people's movements in Burma, Philippines, Mongolia, Poland, Argentina, Palestine, etc etc). I appreciated the global breadth and scope. However, they were just glimpses, and I think there's a lot more that wasn't covered. I also found the authors' tone somewhat pedantic at times, and was annoyed at how they dismissed violent movements out of hand, from their perch on high. I get that strategically non-violence is often a better tactical move, since the state is in part defined by its monopoly on violence and so most people's movements could never compare; and moreover, by staying non-violent, you get to claim the moral high ground in the narrative. But halfway through reading this book, someone told me about the book 'How Non-Violence Protects the State', which argues for how non-violence can reinforce the oppression of the state; and so I wished the authors of this book had complicated their argument a little bit instead of not even deigning to examine it. Overall the book felt a little superficial, and just... there was something about it that bugged me that I'm having my trouble putting my finger on. Anyway. Read it if you'd like to be introduced to a diverse range of non-violent movements from the last century.

ETA: one of the chapters that gives more insight into why it bugged me was the chapter on the first Palestine intifada. I thought the movement for self-sufficiency that people started there was incredible. And yes some people also armed themselves to form the PLA. And because of that, apparently Palestine lost all credibility in the West's eyes and gave us license to excuse the incredible human rights violations Israel has perpetrated there. It's not equal amounts of violence, but the book (and media in general, typically) makes them seem equal and in so doing lets Israel off the hook. Why? Because people in Palestine are browner than people in Israel? If we are going to hold Palestine to account for their violent acts, how are we not holding Israel to account 10x more? Seems fucked up and racist, TBH.

[Bernie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Force More Powerful: A Century of Non-Violent Conflict is an excellent overview of non-violent conflict in the past 100 years or so. Inspiring and compelling, Peter Ackerman and Jack Duvall, not only create in this work a concise account, but argue persuasively that not only is the history of non-violent conflict and account of courageous change but it is more effective than armed methods, and that in fact, violent methods reduce the chances of positive change. This is easily seen for example in the Palestinian Intifada, where rock-throwing and other forms of violent disorder have undercut world wide sympathy and opinion in favor of that cause.

Always a practical person, I pondered the utility of this book in a country (the USA) where, at least at this point, we have recourse to electoral change. That is, a country unlike most of those profiled in the book, that does not yet feature a dictatorial central government..

I contemplated this when on the very day I finished this book, I went to join a resistance protest against the Obama rally at the Ohio State University Campus. Our protest of increasing government control, outlandish spending, and creeping socialism has truly been, and was on that day a peacefully effective one. I am committed, as are all in the movement, to keeping it that way. Indeed, when we see violence it is invariably committed by the left in the form of rock throwing, arson and window breaking. As Ackerman and Duvall make clear, this can only discredit their goals…. Especially when we examine their (lack of) logic.

This book will inspire all who appreciate the human creative impulse, and yearn for true freedom.

[Marwan Shalaby · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A Force More Powerful’ makes a wonderful case for the potency of non-violent resistance; it made me realise how militancy and violence are engrained in our middle eastern culture and it also totally changed my mind on “justified” armed opposition to counter unyielding brutal regimes. This book, by outlining cases from the dawn of the 20th century, in St Petersburg, to apartheid South Africa, moving to the Philippines and India, crossing Poland and reaching the American Jim Crow brutality and the Latin American juntas, capitalised on the reward of non-violent resistance and on the societal change it induces. Cases from Denmark, Berlin and of course Palestine, alongside many other cases, made me rethink my views on the Two State Solution, on the BDS movement and also on the current dictatorship in Egypt. The simplicity, inclusiveness and momentum of non-violent resistance, from its use to topple dictators, to restore rights, or even to express discontent on a local or institutional level, makes it a constantly attractive, more rewarding option that must be taught on a massive scale to actualise a true intellectual reform.

[Nathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

While they can't be lauded for impartiality, the authors are definitely biased in the right direction. In a series of case studies, the non-violent implementation of direct social action via peaceful protest and mutual cooperation is profiled and praised. Despite its unwieldy length, this book should be of great import to those in power, and to those who oppose that power when it becomes oppressive.

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading book on and off for several months. For anyone interested in organizing and nonviolent action, and creating lasting social change -- this books offers a history of nonviolent conflict and success stories. It's a primer and more. Love it so far, almost done and happy to lend it to anyone interested in nonviolent action and organizing.

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing history of events most often absent from standard history, including the phenomenal story of the women of Rossenstrasse: German women who freed their Jewish husbands from the Nazis through days of non-violent protests!

[LaDon Love]

This is both a book and video. It is a great way to begin a discussion on past and current politics and the potential of collective leadership. The examples are drawn from the US and abroad and capture the feeling of the times, people and issues.

[Maburman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful history of non-violence over the last century. By using historical examples the authors argue very convincingly for the practice of non-violence. Really helped me think about what peace would look like.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best comprehensive historical non-violent conflict resolution books that I've read. Truly, each story is one of hope that we can learn from our history, not only the mistakes we wish not to repeat, but methods and tools to use for future conflict resolution.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far, though I've found a couple of factual errors, I am totally enjoying this! The author shows where noncooperation was succeeding before moves to violence actually lost the power.

[Craig Bolton]

A Force More Powerful: A Century of Non-Violent Conflict by Peter Ackerman (2001)

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an amazing book a little longer than I would have wished but good none the less. It makes me want to go and read Gene Sharp's work now.

[Benja Bock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative book.

[Glen Gersmehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

companion volume to the terrific movie and PBS series -- each of its six 24 min. segments makes for a great discussion starter for workshops or introductory forums