Blessed are the Peacemakers on Earth : A Study of the Theory and Practice of Nonviolent Resistance

Abstract

This paper will attempt to answer the following questions: Under what conditions is nonviolence an effective means of social change? Under what conditions is it not effective? Why, in each case, is this so? The author examines nonviolence in theory, looking specifically at its historical foundations, the distinction between pacifism and nonviolence as well as passive resistance and nonviolent action, the belief systems involving the rejection of violence, the three mechanisms of nonviolent action, the techniques which they employ, and the situations in which nonviolent action might be applied. The author then applies this model to a number of examples. Finally, she explains why nonviolence was or was not successful in these instances, and discusses contemporary situations in which nonviolent action might be applicable. The author accessed resources from the Civil Rights era found at Emory University.