Nonviolent

Nonviolent refers to the practice or philosophy of pursuing goals without the use of physical force or the threat of force. It describes methods of protest, resistance, and conflict resolution that seek change through moral suasion, persuasion, and strategic noncooperation rather than violence. Nonviolence can be a tactical method, a principled ethical stance, or both, and it often relies on discipline, unity, and the broad participation of supporters.

Origins and development: Nonviolence has roots in religious and philosophical traditions such as ahimsa in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. In the modern era it was shaped by thinkers such as Henry David Thoreau and Leo Tolstoy and was popularized as a political tactic by Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha, which used mass civil disobedience to challenge British rule in India. In the United States, Martin Luther King Jr. and the broader Civil Rights Movement applied nonviolent methods—boycotts, marches, and legal challenges—to confront racial segregation. Nonviolence has also been influential in anti-apartheid activism, labor campaigns, and contemporary social movements worldwide.

Strategies and tools: Nonviolent action includes civil disobedience, strikes, boycotts, economic and diplomatic pressure, and noncooperation with unjust laws or institutions. It often emphasizes discipline, nonretaliation, and the public moral appeal of a movement.

Criticism and limits: Critics argue that nonviolence can be ineffective in certain contexts or place risks on protesters, while others contend it may require substantial solidarity and favorable political conditions. Proponents note that nonviolent methods can reduce harm, expose injustice, and win broad legitimacy.