Nonviolence

Nonviolence is the practice of working for social change without causing harm to others. It is more than just avoiding physical fighting. It involves a choice to do no harm in deed, speech, or intent. Some people think nonviolence means being passive or doing nothing. However, activists view it as an active tool for political and social change. For example, if a house is burning, a nonviolent person puts out the fire. They do not simply sit by and watch the damage happen.

There are two primary ways that people approach nonviolence. The first is called principled nonviolence. This approach is based on religious, moral, or spiritual beliefs. People following this path believe in human harmony and a moral rejection of all coercion. Their goal is to change an opponent's heart and mind through love. They often seek solutions where all parties win. The second approach is called pragmatic nonviolence. This is also known as tactical or strategic nonviolent action. This method is based on political analysis rather than moral philosophy.

Pragmatic nonviolence focuses on what is effective and practical. Followers of this method, such as political scientist Gene Sharp, believe that violence is too costly to use. They view conflict as inevitable but see nonviolence as an effective way to challenge power. The goal is to change an oppressor's behavior or end a specific injustice. They may use nonviolent coercion to reach their goals. This method seeks to project a national or global dialogue to affect change. It does not always try to win over those who want to keep things the same.

Principled nonviolence goes much deeper into a person's way of life. It often involves a belief in restorative or transformative justice. Some practitioners may advocate for the abolition of the death penalty. Because they believe violence is learned, they work to unlearn it through compassion. This can include a respect for all sentient beings. Some followers may practice vegetarianism or veganism to avoid harming animals. They believe that the means used to reach a goal must be as pure as the end goal itself.

The concept of nonviolence has very ancient roots. In many Eastern traditions, it is known as ahimsa. This is a cardinal virtue in Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. In Jainism, ahimsa is a multidimensional concept. It must be practiced in thoughts, spoken words, and actions. This belief is based on the idea that all living beings have a divine spiritual energy. Therefore, hurting another being is seen as hurting oneself. Ancient Hindu scholars also worked to perfect these principles over time.

History shows that nonviolent movements can successfully change entire nations. Mahatma Gandhi used nonviolent struggle to lead India toward independence. In the United States, Martin Luther King Jr. and James Bevel adopted Gandhian methods. They used these tools during the Civil Rights Movement to end legalized segregation. In the 1960s, César Chávez used nonviolence to protest the treatment of Mexican farm workers in California.

Other examples include the 1989 Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia. This movement helped overthrow the Communist government without a war.

Nonviolent action relies on a specific understanding of how power works. Advocates believe that all regimes depend on the cooperation and consent of the people. This includes the military, the police, and financial institutions. If people withdraw their consent through mass noncooperation or civil disobedience, the power of the rulers is challenged. This is often called "the politics of ordinary people." It allows groups without mainstream political power to influence the world. Even the United Nations has recognized this, naming 2001 to 2010 as the International Decade for the Promotion of a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence.