Nonviolent Action: Reconsidering Operation and Factors for Successes and Failures
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Abstract
This research article seeks to present a foundational understanding of nonviolent action as a method of confronting conflict without the use of physical violence. The operation of nonviolent action rests upon the theoretical premise that political power ultimately derives from the consent of the governed. Consequently, this power can be diminished by strategically restricting its sources through various methods. This approach is more effective than violent methods. Moreover, nonviolent actions create more opportunities for negotiation and dialogue. The factors contributing to the success of nonviolent movements can be grouped into three main categories: (1) structural conditions or political opportunity structures, which provide either enabling or constraining contexts for mobilizing people; (2) organizational and mobilizational factors, requiring systematic preparation and collective coordination, whereby mass participation enhances both the diversity and effectiveness of tactics; and (3) external factors, particularly state responses, which are shaped by the dynamic interaction between opposition actions and state reactions. While severe repression may stifle mobilization, excessive state violence can also generate regime defections, a critical determinant of movement success. Importantly, nonviolent strategies provide greater opportunities for such defections compared to violent ones.
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