nongewelddadige

Nongewelddadige is a Dutch adjective meaning non-violent, used to describe actions, tactics, or movements that reject the use of physical force to achieve political, social, or ideological goals. The term is formed from geweld (violence) with the prefix non- and the suffix -ige. In practice, Dutch style guides sometimes prefer niet-gewelddadig or nietgewelddadig as the literal construction; nongewelddadige is common in journalistic and academic Dutch and agrees with the noun it modifies (de nongewelddadige protest, een nongewelddadige beweging).

In political science, sociology, and journalism, nongewelddadige describes strategies such as peaceful protests, civil disobedience, boycotts, strikes, and other forms of pressure that aim to achieve change without harming persons or property beyond acceptable levels. It is closely linked to pacifism and Gandhian philosophy but is used broadly to contrast with gewelddadige methods.

Historical context is tied to leaders and movements that emphasized moral influence and disciplined conduct, such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., whose campaigns used nonviolent methods to challenge injustice. The concept remains a key framework in discussions of social change, democratization, and human rights.

Criticisms and debates around nongewelddadige focus on questions of effectiveness, especially under harsh repression or extreme inequality. Proponents argue nonviolence can mobilize broad support and minimize harm, while opponents worry that it may allow entrenched power to persist. Some movements combine nonviolent tactics with defensive measures, arguing that nonviolence is a strategic choice rather than a fixed rule.

See also: Nonviolent resistance, pacifism, civil disobedience, Gandhism, peaceful protest.