Waging Nonviolent Struggle: 20th Century Practice and 21st Century Potential

by Gene Sharp, Joshua Paulson (Contributor), Christopher A. Miller (Contributor)

This groundbreaking new work builds on 50 years of Gene Sharp's definitive academic research and practical experience aiding nonviolent struggles around the world.

Recently, advocates have applied these methods and strategies with great success in Serbia and Ukraine. In his most recent work, Dr. Sharp shows how to strategically plan nonviolent struggle and make it more effective.

In Waging Nonviolent Struggle, Dr. Sharp documents 23 significant—and often successful—20th century nonviolent struggles in a range of cultural and political contexts, and reaffirms nonviolent action as a realistic and powerful alternative to both passivity and violence.

Building on the power analysis of his seminal Politics of Nonviolent Action, Dr. Sharp coherently integrates his theories into praxis, with a vitality tested on the frontlines, often under extreme violence.

Any serious student—or practitioner—of nonviolent struggle will find this book an invaluable resource. Skeptics will be compelled to seriously consider nonviolent action's viability.

Today's world is in desperate need of realistic alternatives to violent conflict. Waging Nonviolent Struggle demonstrates that these alternatives exist.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, Activism, Political Science, Philosophy, Sociology

598 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1988

About the author

Gene Sharp was an American political scientist. He was the founder of the Albert Einstein Institution, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the study of nonviolent action, and professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. He was known for his extensive writings on nonviolent struggle, which have influenced numerous anti-government resistance movements around the world.
Sharp received the 2008 Int’l Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award for his lifelong commitment to the defense of freedom, democracy, and the reduction of political violence through scholarly analysis of the power of nonviolent action. Unofficial sources have claimed that Sharp was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015, and had previously been nominated three times, in 2009, 2012 and 2013. Sharp was widely considered the favorite for the 2012 award. In 2011, he was awarded the El-Hibri Peace Education Prize. In 2012, he was a recipient of the Right Livelihood Award for "developing and articulating the core principles and strategies of nonviolent resistance and supporting their practical implementation in conflict areas around the world".

Reviews

[Rivera Sun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should be familiar with the works of Gene Sharp. They are essential reading for how to wage struggle in effective ways, a body of knowledge absolutely necessary for these times. This book will not only give you the tools to make change, it may also clear the fog of despair and leave you with practical hope.

[Jules Bertaut · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is basically a textbook about nonviolent struggle. The many historical examples of nonviolent struggle are interesting and the advice about strategies is probably pretty good. The book assumes, though, I think a much more centralized notion of who's waging the struggle than I think is often the case. Also the book assumes that violence always makes the opponents more harshly repressive in return, and while I think that is definitely the case a lot, I think history shows things are more nuanced than that, and sometimes violence or the threat of it from a third group allied to the people waging the struggle makes the opponents more willing to listen to the nonviolent group.

[Clivemichael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential extensive resource manual for the future. Moving examples of successful application. Detailed and somewhat repetitive, dense and packed with relevant directives.
"The general situation of a population resisting nonviolently, so as not to threaten the lives of members of the military forces, will sometimes suffice to create serious morale problems among soldiers and police."

[Priscillia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un essai intéressant sur la lutte nonviolente qui donne à la fois des exemples concrets de luttes nonviolentes ayant eu lieu dans le passé et qui aborde la préparation et la planification d'une lutte nonviolente, de l'évaluation de situation à la réponse à la répression afin que la lutte soit aussi efficace et organisée que possible. J'ai beaucoup appris.

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent survey of many non-violent struggles used in a wide variety of countries and cotexts. It disproves the common belief that non-violent civil disobedience works only in a minorty of cases. If you think "it work work here or there" think again!

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely informative regarding how pragmatic nonviolence works and a great source of case studies, however, it is not a particularly engaging read.

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can not praise Gene Sharp highly enough. Anyone at all interested in resistance should read this book.

Gene Sharp is the senior scholar and founder of the Albert Einstein Institution.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all activists. This is the 21st century's "Art Of War". More crucial a strategy than guerilla warfare in matters of national localized conflict

[Doni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great content, poorly written.

[Walter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely my kind of book. Gene Sharp makes a compelling case for nonviolence and highlights effective nonviolent strategies using multiple case studies.

[Zazie Soup Katlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for those interested in Nonviolence and Conflict Resolution.