Non-Violent Tools for Social Transformation Kevin P Clements National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies

Rediscovering Non-Violence “Violence is the behaviour of someone incapable of imagining other solutions to the problem at hand” Bettelheim “I oppose all violence because the good it does is always temporary but the harm it does is permanent” Gandhi. “Non-Violence is a Weapon of the Strong” Gandhi

Non-Violence Non-violence is a positive and transforming process for courageous people . Non-Violence is the heightening of socio-political contradictions,the healing and transformation of broken relationships, defence of identity,resistance to oppression and the pursuit of political and economic objectives, without the use or threat of violence. It is the DNA of effective peacebuilding.

Effective nonviolent strategies require vision, courage and solidarity. Non violent activists can be divided into two general groups. (a) those that are motivated by religious/humanistic beliefs and (b) those that are motivated primarily by an alternative means of fighting for political and national goals Both require vision, courage and solidarity.

Qualities of Effective Non-Violence Empowering. Builds resilient relationships/solidarity between peoples. Is willing to suffer rather than inflict suffering. Embraces and promotes changes which advance the interests and needs of the poorest, weakest and most vulnerable. Speaks Truth without Fear- Acts on basis of rigorous analyses Promotes networks , coalitions across all class , gender and ethnic divisions.

Views of Power The Monolithic Theory of Power-People Depend on the Decisions of Government Pluralistic Theory of Power- Governments depend on the power of people divided into different groups and categories. Power is seen in relational terms. Important to understand that citizens are the source of power and sovereignty Power with versus Power over others Boulding,s Three Faces of Power: Coercive, Exchange and Integrative Power. Non Violent strategic thinking utilises integrative and exchange power to constrain the coercive.

How Does Social Change Happen? There are a wide variety of different ways to make the world a better place. Some methods, like peacebuilding and human rights activities, tend to work within institutions and legal systems. Other methods, like nonviolent action, work both inside and outside of traditional institutions.   These strategies can be complementary-- social change work is more of an art than a science and there is no one way to guarantee an effect.  It is best to have as many tools as possible in the social transformation toolbox. Extra-institutional methods of social change include both violent and nonviolent mechanisms.  Both violent and nonviolent methods attempt to shift power and bring about change.  Violence can tear down or destroy a regime, or an institution. However violence does not make positive social change. Acknowledgements: The arguments in this presentation owe much to the work of Nadine Bloch and Lisa Schirch, in their forthcoming book SNAP, Synergising Nonviolent Action and Peacebuilding ,as well as Erica Chenoweth and Maria Stephan ,in their book “Why Civil Resistance Work”s and Veronique Dudouet, 2017 “Powering to Peace:Integrating Civil Resistance and Peacebuilding Strategies”, ICNC Special Report and my old friend and mentor Adam Curle.

Types of Change Kind of change and Where it plays out Personal change : Individual and internal work: self-awareness of one’s identity, sources of power, skills, attributes, knowledge Relational change : interactions between people; dialogue and communications;   Cultural change: Societal shifts in values - away from domination and violence toward partnership, justice, equity and nonviolence. Structural change:Institutional shifts away from harmful structures, institutions, laws, and regimes

What is Nonviolent Action? Nonviolent action (NVA) is a method of advancing social change that goes beyond institutionalized conflict resolution procedures like law courts and voting. Nonviolent action includes tactics of protest, noncooperation, and intervention that typically increase awareness of conflict between social groups. These methods are nonviolent in that they do not include the threat or use of injurious force to others. Nonviolent action is also referred to as “people power,” “civil resistance,” “nonviolent resistance,” or “nonviolent direct action.”     Nonviolent tactics can be used for either good or bad purposes. In this workshop we are talking about nonviolent action for social justice,human rights,social harmony and peace. Nonviolent action challenges elite interests and power imbalances between groups in society and is also aimed at boosting public participation in policymaking, advancing good governance and accountability.

Nonviolent action and Peacebuilding are both concerned with power-See Curle Below

In all of this work, we have to focus attention on whether we want more people , key people or some combination of both to spearhead change? How to bring maximal numbers of Civil Society actors into play? How to arouse consciousness among Civil Society actors of their “real power”?

Developing Strategy There are several key elements in the strategic development of nonviolent actions: (a)The identification of goals (b) An assessment of the strategic resources available to the movement (c) Analysis of the vulnerabilities of the opponent.

Setting Goals Goals need to be specific and realistic. Goals should command some public support/consensus-e.g democratisation goals. Goals should be positive rather than negative Critical to stay on message e.g instead of No to Pinochet, they should be yes to the alternative or “He’s finished!”

Analysing an opponents vulnerabilities Every regime has vulnerabilities depending on the basis of its political power. An accurate understanding of these is essential for a sound strategy. Organizers must identify the opponents "pillars of support"—the most significant political constituencies, in certain professions or social classes, civil and military institutions, or religious and ethnic groups. By assessing a regime's vulnerabilities, movement leaders are better able to devise strategies that will drive a wedge between the regime and its key supporters. Some situations are more "ripe" than others for the adoption of nonviolent strategies. While no single factor defines ripeness, a regime that has problems maintaining its legitimacy indicates vulnerability to civilian resistance. The group identified several factors affecting ripeness: the regime's loss of an internal or external war, obvious internal divisions, or its failure to keep promises to the people.

Designing a NV strategy to achieve social and political change In groups - think about a significant Christchurch or national problem that requires significant social and political change. Try to be as specific as possible. Name the problem and ask yourself who else shares your concern? These individuals and groups are your key stakeholders and potential allies/ Strategy-What are your strengths and what are your opponents weaknesses. What resources do you have at your disposal. How might you maximise them? Clear Goals: Map out short, medium and long term specific and achievable goals. Unity: Who are your allies and supporters and how will you mobilise them? Planning: What tactics will you employ at different stages of your campaign? Nonviolent discipline. How will you ensure that your supporters remain non violent and focused on the task at hand?

What role do these Change Processes play in your strategy? Kind of change and Where it plays out Personal change : Individual and internal work: self-awareness of one’s identity, sources of power, skills, attributes, knowledge Relational change : interactions between people; dialogue and communications;   Cultural change: Societal shifts in values - away from domination and violence toward partnership, justice, equity and nonviolence. Structural change: Institutional shifts away from harmful structures, institutions, laws, and regimes