How can movement and revolution studies inform the theory and practice of nonviolent action?
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
12:00pm - 1:00pm EST
Dr. Stellan Vinthagen, Associate Professor in Sociology and Senior Lecturer in Peace and Development Studies at Göteborg University in Sweden looks at how real world events and statistics show how civil resistance or nonviolent action movements, contrary to conventional assumptions, are very effective means to change societies. Several authoritarian regimes have fallen (e.g. Apartheid South Africa or Milosevic's Serbia) after popular, relatively peaceful rebellions. Recent quantitative research reports have shown a great effectiveness of civil resistance campaigns (Karatnycky & Ackerman 2005; Stephan & Chenoweth 2008). At the same time there are several conflicts in which civil resistance has yet to be successful, e.g. in Palestine/Israel, Tibet/China, Colombia or Western Sahara/Morocco. And we also see how some “nonviolent revolutions” are having serious democracy problems (e.g. Georgia or Kyrgyzstan). There are reasons to reflect on the role of various conditions and contexts when applying resistance strategies. Here nonviolent action studies have something to learn from other, more advanced, social science areas, e.g. social movement studies or revolution studies. This presentation tries to inspire and illustrate possible improvements of civil resistance strategies. What happens when we apply e.g. political opportunity theory or resource mobilization theory, or Foran’s theory of revolutions to civil resistance practice and studies? It is argued that greater effectiveness is possible if we build strategies on some established theories and understandings of movements and social change.
WATCH THIS WEBINAR:| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Comments
It has been a long time now since we were in contact. And I understand you have been also busy.
Let me congratulate you about your remarkable, educative and highly insightful presentation on Civil Resistance. I wonder however how you made no mention of Resistance Theory as you are theorizing Resistance, Stellan. And, here in Ethiopia, there are civilian movements whose stories have stolen and voices have been muted by the TPLF-led authoritarian government. We in the Horn of Africa also have issues that are always exacerbated by external forces. And Non-violent resistance is totally unacceptable by authoritarian regimes that came to power through bloody guerrilla war. And here we have too many assignments remaining undone.
Take care!
A. Dibaba
Atlanta, USA
I followed your presentation and it was interesting. Thanks for the good work. I was very much impressed with the Social Movement Theory and also the Revolutionary Theories. On the second one Re- Theory-- seems like what we, (the Eritrean opposition, civic societies and individuals), are trying to do in Diaspora. But it is very much difficult to do it outside the country.
What do you think is relevant for the Eritreans to promote or influence a very much authoritarian regime in Eritrea? What are the general principles to challenge such regimes in Africa?
Or, which theories are relevant to use against such regimes?
Although I can read from the presentation the points that you raised during the Webnar, I would be happy if I can get them by email.
I wish you all the best.
RSS feed for comments to this post.