Nonresistance

Nonresistance is the principle or practice of refraining from violence or coercive retaliation in the face of wrongdoing, and seeking to resolve conflict through peaceful means. It holds that harm should not be met with further harm and that nonviolent responses can be morally preferable or more effective in achieving justice.

Historically, nonresistance has been associated with religious pacifism, especially among Quakers, Mennonites, and other Anabaptist communities, who teach reacting to aggression with forgiveness, restraint, and nonviolent action. The term is also used in broader discussions of ethical conduct and political strategy to describe a stance that rejects violent retaliation while not necessarily endorsing passive acceptance of injustice.

In practice, nonresistance may encompass a range of methods, including nonviolent resistance, civil disobedience, noncooperation, peaceful protest, and advocacy for reform through dialogue and legal means. Proponents emphasize that nonviolent actions can reveal injustice, mobilize public support, and create moral legitimacy for change, while maintaining personal and communal integrity.

Debates about nonresistance address its limits and risks. Critics argue that it can leave individuals or communities vulnerable to coercion or abuse, potentially allowing injustice to persist. Supporters counter that nonviolent action can be ethically compelling and practically effective, and that nonresistance can redefine power as moral authority rather than force.

Related concepts include pacifism, nonviolent resistance, civil disobedience, and noncooperation.