For you who wants to know more Nonviolence & Conflict Management
Download 0.51 Mb.
|
- Navigate this page:
- The discipline of nonviolence
Understanding powerPower is a part of all conflicts and can often be a part of the cause or the actual problem in the conflict. Understanding power can often contribute to the solution. As power is a permanently present aspect in conflicts then all peace, justice and solidarity work needs to relate to power. It can be a question of working for peace, justice, food for all, disarmament, participation, human rights, the right to strike, democracy and so on. There are never the less many occasions when both economic and political interests obstruct these goals. It is therefore of vital importance to understand how power functions. Gene Sharp: Six sources of power;
These sources of power have similar function to the legs on a table. If we wish to weaken someone’s power then we need to weaken or take away its legs. When we look closer at these power sources, we discover that ultimately they are based on people. By looking closer at the way action influences our opponent’s and our own power sources e can estimate the effectivity of our actions and decide if they are effective or contra productive. That which can start as a good idea for change, for example economic sabotage, or hostile slogans, can be negative for us. Another perhaps easier way of understanding power is that power is based on obedience. Solely by people obeying someone else it means that they get power, this is true on all levels; it can be a colleague, a parent or a politician. Disobedience is therefore the same as power breaking. The Plowshare movement in Sweden a theory has developed around power breaking and dialogue facilitating17. It is by breaking the opponents power and at the same or overlapping, facilitate dialogue to encourage an open and equal meeting, that the power if nonviolence breaks through. As obedience is voluntary it can be broken. 
“Power concedes nothing without demand. It never did and it never will –“
Anti-slavery activist 19th century. Escaped from slavery The discipline of nonviolenceThe human race has trained violence in thousands of years. It has hardly lead to increased democracy, peace or justice. Perhaps it is now time to give nonviolence a chance? It is a big mistake to believe that nonviolence is something woolly or fuzzy that does not need any training or discipline as violence does! To be able to carry out a nonviolence campaign successfully the discipline of nonviolence is needed. The discipline of nonviolence is the self-discipline needed to be able to carry out five necessary components in strategic nonviolence:18 Courage and Firmness of Principle Resistance to unsatisfactory conditions will often lead to punishment and violence. In meeting such difficulties it is courage and steady principle that prevent the nonviolence activist from compromising with his belief, even in the face of personal danger and suffering. The nonviolence activist attempts instead to turn the opponent’s show of strength against him/herself so that the opponent loses support, sympathy and power every time he/she uses violence. Truthfulness is another component of strategic nonviolence which helps to lessen fear, retain nonviolence discipline and expose the opponent’s violence or hidden agendas. By avoiding lies, exaggeration and disinformation one can stand up for what one does. Gandhi often used to make his mistakes public. If you do that and your opponent lies then the contrast is strong. Without being ready to meet oppression as a consequence of the struggle, the nonviolence movement cannot expect success.
Endurance and Perseverance Endurance is what keeps one working even when enthusiasm is low and the situation seems hopeless. Setbacks are to be expected in larger projects involving change or nonviolence struggles. It is important to realise that in giving up one can only use. Often it is the endurance which brings the campaign or work success. The majority of nonviolence ventures that fail do so due to a lack of endurance. Endurance and perseverance are interlaced with the need for support and encouragement. The discipline of nonviolence is needed not only in relation to the opponent but also towards ones nonviolence colleagues, so that a supportive movement based on mutual respect, trust and understanding is created. Such a movement is attractive and retains enthusiasm, strengthens activists and encourages them to continue the struggle. Another way of strengthening endurance is to admit ones own role and responsibility for structural and cultural violence and oppression. By admitting participation the ability and power to stop it is also admitted. An additional part of endurance is, not giving up when obstacles are put in the way or punishment is used, and the thought that no more can be done comes. This sends signals that the obstacles or punishment work. Instead, to escalate the efforts is the best strategy.
Having said that one must be able to place the struggle or work before self and not only do it to feel good. It is also important to do boring and non-glamorous tasks. The basic thought is that the world and life are worth working for. If the world was not infinitely valuable and potentially fantastic, then why struggle?
One of the basic reasons for violence in the world is the feeling of superiority, which perhaps is grounded in fear, low self esteem and the need for security, love and recognition. War, racism, sexism, hetero-sexism, environmental destruction, violence, murder and enmity can often be traced back to individuals or groups that in some way feel superior to others. Ironically one also finds this among those involved in the struggle against oppression and who believe in strategic non-violence. The struggle against violence and superiority must be fought both within and outside ourselves. A humble and nonviolent way of meeting this struggle is needed. 
“If I may not dance then it is not my revolution!” Emma Goldman feminist, anarchist, nonviolence activist.
Enmity from non-violence activists hinders the process of change and encourages loyalty in the opposition, which strengthens the opposition to oppose activists and at the same time justify for themselves and the surroundings an unproportionately strict repression. If ones behaviour expresses self righteousness, enmity and arrogance then the ideas one presents will not be taken seriously, but many will believe that the engagement is purely for self-profit. By expressing friendliness and good will to those who represent the structures and actions one struggles against, the strength of argument and process of change receive increased space.
Directory: downloads downloads -> Northern England’s set-jetting locations downloads -> Dynatest 3031 lwd light Weight Deflectometer downloads -> Forth coming competitive exams downloads -> Brush High School Morning Announcements Friday, September 05, 2014 all school downloads -> Year 9 The Arts — Music downloads -> Years 7 and 8 standard elaborations — Australian Curriculum: Music draft downloads -> Chris Young sets 2016 “I’m Comin’ Over” Tour headlining dates downloads -> Slavery and Abolition: the Plymouth Connection Introduction downloads -> Summer Assignment Download 0.51 Mb. Share with your friends:
|