An Anthology of Nonviolence: Historical and Contemporary Voices

(Hardback)

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What is the basis for choosing a nonviolent response to conflict and violence By presenting and analyzing some of the most significant answers that have been given to this question throughout history, this anthology of writings from both Western and nonwestern traditions proposes principled and strategic nonviolence as a realistic alternative. It includes a selection of historical sources on nonviolenceranging from the Bhagavad-Gita to the Bibleas well as a wide range of writings by authors such as Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Nelson Mandela, who have contributed to both the theory and the practice of nonviolence. Besides tracing the historical development of the concept, this volume also suggests ways of applying nonviolence to our everyday lives in the first decade of the 21st century, which the United Nations General Assembly has declared to be the Decade for Education for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence.

Reviews

"A culture so immersed in violence as our own requires a counterculture in which the coming generation is educated in the philosophy and tactics of nonviolence. This excellent volume of readings goes a long way towards meeting that need, and I hope it will be widely used."-Howard Zinn Professor Emeritus Boston University
"A stimulating selection opening windows into the spiritual roots of nonviolence and into the lives of many, such as M. K. Gandhi and Martin Luther King, who experimented with nonviolence as a positive and practical alternative to violence."-George Willoughby Retired Quaker Teacher Social Activist
"An Anthology of Nonviolence: Historical and Contemporary Voices provides a much-needed and salutary antidote to what sometimes seems to be an unremitting promotion of violence in everthing from politics and the media to entertainment. The anthology collects original voices of those working for nonviolence from a wide range of religious, geographical, cultural, and historical contexts. The topics covered range from ecofeminism to civil rights to national independence to religious and theoretical justifications for nonviolent action. Mallick and Hunter's collection provides an invaluable resource for the classroom and beyond for people interested in exploring a multicultural and diverse approach to issues of peace and conflict resolution."-Aviva Chomsky Associate Professor Department of History, Salem State College
"At this moment in history, when once again our only approach to violence seems to be violent retaliation, how good it is to have this careful and lovingly designed book which documents the deep roots and power of nonviolence action. Whatever our personal politics these timeless messages beckon us to higher consciousness and connection with life and our best selves."-Matthew A. Budd Adjunct Faculty Andover Newton Theological School
This volume could be useful as a reader in a class designed to sensitize students to personal ethical choices concerning violence and nonviolence...-Journal of Peace Research
"This volume could be useful as a reader in a class designed to sensitize students to personal ethical choices concerning violence and nonviolence..."-Journal of Peace Research

Author Bio

KRISHNA MALLICK is is Associate Professor, Chairperson of the Philosophy Department, and Coordinator of the Peace Institute at Salem State College./e She has coedited two books and published several scholarly articles and book chapters. ter /f Doris /r ed./b DORIS HUNTER is a Unitarian Universalist Minister in the Boston area./e She has taught philosophy and religion at various institutions and has written extensively on the subjects of violence and nonviolence.