Nonviolence Resource Kit - Intro
From Peacebuilding
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This Resource Kit breaks down into six modules for exploring specific aspects of nonviolence. After a short introduction, offline and online content resources are provided, with an emphasis on the latter. Each module provides a number of training activities that have been specifically designed for the content introduced.
In addition to these, check out our Activities to Process Content for facilitation techniques you can use when introducing new content to your group.
Less experienced facilitators might find the sample agendas provided at the bottom of this page useful.
Contents |
1st Module - Exploring Nonviolence
People’s understanding of what nonviolence actually is may be diverse. Groups and individuals with different religious identities and political or cultural backgrounds may have different opinions about it. Even within the same group, different views may co-exist. Some may equate nonviolence with passivity and submission, whilst others may see active ways to challenge power and restore social justice. Values people associate with nonviolence may differ from one culture to another.
While it is perfectly normal for people to have different opinions and understandings about nonviolence, for a group that wants to use nonviolent methods for social change developing a shared understanding is crucial. A group’s understanding of nonviolence will determine its strategy and methods of action; a shared understanding will determine its cohesion.
Given the variety of understandings, it might be tempting for the facilitator to impose his or her own understanding of nonviolence. Here we suggest using activities to help the group explore its diversity and let members develop their own shared understanding. The offline and online resources referred to here can be used to stimulate discussion.
2nd Module - Nonviolence in History
During the 20th century nonviolence gained unprecedented political significance throughout the world, and a number of successes were obtained: better wages and working conditions; the abolition of violent traditions and practices; the fall of dictatorships; the repeal of unjust laws; and the rise of democratic governments. However, examples of nonviolence date back almost 2,500 years ago. Despite the widespread use of nonviolence throughout history, historians and formal education systems seem to give priority to documenting wars and violence. As a result of this reduced attention, nonviolence is still an unrefined, raw and intuitive technique for struggle, whereas the focus on and investment in military war has significantly increased its destructive power. Looking at history and examples of nonviolent struggle can help raise awareness of its nature and the way it works, and boost confidence.
3rd Module - Power and Consent
The theory of power that most nonviolent groups refer to can be attributed to the nonviolence theorist, Gene Sharp. Sharp has developed a theory of power that can serve as a framework for understanding how nonviolence works. Essentially, it states that the members of a society can be divided into rulers and subjects. The rulers’ power is dependent on the goodwill, decisions and support of the subjects – thus political power is pluralistic and fragile. Withdrawal of consent by the subjects is a way to challenge political power and let hidden, structural conflicts surface.
4th Module - More on Power
One way to oppose Gene Sharp’s theory of power and consent is to highlight its naivety. Consent is seen as individualistic and voluntaristic, and his theory leaves out much of the complexity of political life. Social structures such as capitalism, patriarchy and bureaucracy are too complex to fit into the ruler-subject picture. Thus, for the purposes of social analysis, a structural approach seems more appropriate for understanding the complex dynamics of a society. Nevertheless, if the purpose of a theory is to provide some insights that can be used by activists and prepare a group for action, then a simple and easy-to-apply theory serves well. That’s why Sharp’s theory is so successful among nonviolent activists around the world.
This module is concerned with offering a critical approach to Sharp’s theory of power, and with providing different perspectives on power.
5th Module - Strategising for Nonviolence
Whilst social movements can gain strength from the passion, focus and cohesion of their members, the ability to strategise their actions can also significantly increase their effectiveness. Nonviolent theorists and movements have developed a number of frameworks that a group can use to build its own strategy. Here we present some of these frameworks, although it should be borne in mind that these are not prescriptive and any group can develop its own strategy in its own way. Simplicity and participation are the two key elements: rather than studying elaborate frameworks to develop “the perfect strategy”, it’s better to use simple tools that anyone can understand. It’s also best to do things together. Activists will become active if they play a part in decision making.
6th Module - Nonviolence in Church Sources
The Church’s views on peace and war have developed throughout history. It hasn’t gone as far as explicitly and unconditionally condemning war and violence as ways of addressing conflict. For centuries, philosophical and theological thinking have developed a “just war doctrine”, laying down the criteria to be met for war to be considered legitimate. However, these criteria are so strict that it’s almost impossible for any modern conflict to meet them.
Parallel to the evolution of strict criteria for recourse to war, ideas on nonviolence as a way of addressing conflict have steadily developed within the Church, especially since Pope John XXIII’s Encyclical Letter Pacem in Terris and the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council. This module provides resources to start exploring the just war doctrine in official Church documents. It then provides references on nonviolence from the Encyclical Letter Pacem in Terris, the Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, and from statements by Popes John XXIII, John Paul II and Benedict XVI.
Sample Agendas
This Resource Kit is structured as a toolbox. The content and activities are designed so that you can choose what to draw on and decide how to use it. However, if you’re not an experienced facilitator, you might need a little help on how to use these resources. You can find a few sample agendas for this purpose below. Please bear in mind that these are just a few of the many possible examples of how to organise the tools provided.
