Nonviolence

Nonviolence is the practice of pursuing political or social objectives through peaceful means, rejecting the use of physical force against opponents. It encompasses nonviolent resistance, civil disobedience, and noncooperation, emphasizing discipline, restraint, and an ethical commitment to transforming adversaries rather than defeating them by force.

The concept is rooted in religious and philosophical traditions, including ahimsa in Indian thought and various Western pacifist movements. Advocates argue that nonviolence can mobilize broad participation, expose injustice, and appeal to universal moral norms, while violence often legitimizes further conflict and stiffens resistance.

Common methods include peaceful protests, demonstrations, boycotts, strikes, legal challenges, and political lobbying. Civil disobedience involves knowingly breaking unjust laws and accepting penalties. Noncooperation may involve withdrawing cooperation from institutions or economic systems that sustain oppression.

Historical influence has been significant. Mohandas Gandhi shaped the modern concept of satyagraha and led India to independence through nonviolent action. Martin Luther King Jr. popularized nonviolent civil rights tactics in the United States. Similar approaches have informed movements against apartheid, authoritarianism, and for democracy in various countries.

Critics question its practicality in the face of repressive regimes or mass violence and warn of unequal burdens on participants. Success often depends on strategic planning, broad-based participation, nonviolent discipline, and legitimate moral authority, while negotiations may be pursued as conditions change.