Strategic Nonviolent Conflict: The Dynamics of People Power in the Twentieth Century

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Nonviolent action, well planned and implemented, is shown in this lucid, timely, and compelling work to effect dramatic outcomes against opponents utilizing violence. Ackerman and Kruegler recognize that not all nonviolent efforts meet with success, and they are careful to stress that a nonviolent approach involves great risks as well as opportunities. It is the effectiveness of the strategies employed which will determine whether or not those using nonviolent means can prevail against opponents who rely on violence in pursuit of objectives. Twelve strategic principles are established in this book which serve as a conceptual foundation to enhance the prospects of success in nonviolent campaigns. The authors also develop six twentieth-century examples of nonviolent action from the early Russian Revolution of 1904-1906 through the Solidarity movement in 1980-1981. Each campaign narrative constitutes a fascinating reading experience and illustrates common themes, strategies, and important aspects of behavior on the part of major participants in nonviolent encounters. This is a singularly important book. It offers more than a mere plea for nonviolence. Ackerman and Kruegler introduce their work by noting the surprising extent to which nonviolent sanctions are currently employed to pressure adversaries in the international political arena. They go onto provide hard lessons based on important, and often painful, historical efforts; principles to govern the choice and implementation of strategies when nonviolent action is the determined response; and insightful analysis to guide assessment and policy. A work which will focus analysis, inform decision-making, stimulate policy consideration, and invigorate research, this volume will well serve professionals and students in international relations and numerous related fields.

Reviews

.,."The authors have done an excellent job of combining theory and practice of nonviolent conflict resolution. A useful source and effective teaching tool suited to upper-level undergraduate and graduate collections."-Choice
...The authors have done an excellent job of combining theory and practice of nonviolent conflict resolution. A useful source and effective teaching tool suited to upper-level undergraduate and graduate collections.-Choice
If the world has indeed entered a new era, and if global communications make every conflict more visible and the use of military force more reprehensible to mankind at large, then the possibilities for successful nonviolent conflict would seem to have broadened. By analyzing the cases they present, Ackerman and Kruegler have done pioneer work in trying to show how such actions have a better chance of success.-The Christian Science Monitor
This is an excellent book, well-written and well-researched, with the potential to guide future research and to inform nonviolent activists.-Fellowship
..."The authors have done an excellent job of combining theory and practice of nonviolent conflict resolution. A useful source and effective teaching tool suited to upper-level undergraduate and graduate collections."-Choice
"This is an excellent book, well-written and well-researched, with the potential to guide future research and to inform nonviolent activists."-Fellowship
"If the world has indeed entered a new era, and if global communications make every conflict more visible and the use of military force more reprehensible to mankind at large, then the possibilities for successful nonviolent conflict would seem to have broadened. By analyzing the cases they present, Ackerman and Kruegler have done pioneer work in trying to show how such actions have a better chance of success."-The Christian Science Monitor

Author Bio

PETER ACKERMAN is Managing Director of Rockport Financial, Ltd. and Rockport Partners, Inc. in London. He was a Visiting Scholar at the International Institute of Strategic Studies until 1992. CHRISTOPHER KRUEGLER is President of The Albert Einstein Institution, Inc. in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is editor-in-chief of the forthcoming Encyclopedia of Nonviolent Action (1996).