A Theory of Nonviolent Action

'For anyone interested in nonviolence research, I'd recommend putting this at the top of your reading list...a classic.' Waging Nonviolence 'The richness of the detail may make it something of a Bible of nonviolent action... In this sense the book stands in Gandhi's tradition of experimentation while demonstrating how the core elements of his thought and practice open new vistas for the future of nonviolence.' Satyagraha Foundation for Nonviolence Studies 'This superb study of nonviolent action will become the key book in the field for this generation.' Johan Galtung, Founder, Transcend International 'An essential book for every researcher, activist and human rights defender interested in the sociology of resistance and the opportunities and limitations of nonviolence as a method for human emancipation.' Mattias Gardell, Uppsala University 'The author combines the sociologist's rigor and the historian's overview with the activist's practical experience, resulting in a convincing synthesis - the first of its kind, and a fundamental book in its field.' Stefan Jonsson, Linkoeping University 'A pioneering contribution to the field. Using revealing examples of actions and campaigns, Vinthagen's sophisticated and illuminating theoretical picture is tightly linked to practice. Activists and scholars alike have much to gain from this tour de force.' Brian Martin, University of Wollongong 'Building on traditions that see nonviolence as a strategy, a tactic or a way of life, Stellan Vintagen offers a new sociological theory of nonviolent action. Scholars and activists will gain both insight and inspiration from this book.' Roland Bleiker, University of Queensland 'Vinthagen's new book is like a breath of fresh air, providing an original and diverse conceptual toolbox for activist scholars eager to revolutionize research on nonviolent action.' Sean Taudin Chabot, Eastern Washington University 'In this valuable and important contribution to the field Vinthagen advances a sociological perspective on non-violence to analyse the social practice of nonviolent actions. The unique combination of theory and practice will attract the attention of both scholars and activists.' Annika Bjoerkdahl, Lund University 'This book is a profoundly relevant academic book. It is a rigorous, thoughtful and creative exploration of non-violent politics... unlike most academic work, it speaks to anyone interested in non-violent political action in contemporary society.' Anna Leander, Centre for the Resolution of International Conflicts, Copenhagen University

Stellan Vinthagen is inaugural endowed chair in the study of nonviolent direct action and civil resistance and professor of sociology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He is also a council member of War Resisters' International, academic adviser to the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict (ICNC), co-founder of the Resistance Studies Network (www.resistancestudies.org) and editor of the Journal of Resistance Studies. Since 1980, he has been an educator, organiser and activist and has participated in more than thirty nonviolent civil disobedience actions, for which he has served in total more than one year in prison.

Introduction: the practice of nonviolent action 1. Nonviolent action studies 2. The concept of nonviolence 3. The rationality of nonviolent action 4. Nonviolent 'dialogue facilitation' 5. Nonviolent 'power breaking' 6. Nonviolent 'utopian enactment' 7. Nonviolent 'normative regulation' 8. A theory of nonviolent action Appendix: the philosophy of Gandhi