The Strategy of Nonviolent Defense: A Gandhian Approach by Robert J. Burrowes (E

Publisher Description

Addresses the question of whether nonviolent defense can be an effective strategy against military violence. Drawing from the strategic theory of Carl von Clausewitz, the nonviolence of Mahatma Gandhi, and recent human needs and conflict theory, Burrowes develops a new strategic theory of nonviolent defense.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments Introduction The Social Cosmology The Strategic Theory and the Strategic Framework What Is Nonviolent Defense? Methodology The Structure of the Argument 1. The Strategic Theory of Clausewitz 2. Conceptions of Strategy The Indirect Approach Are There Universal Principles of Strategy? The Importance of Psychology The Dimensions of Strategy 3. Conceptions of Society 4. Human Nature and Human Needs The Dominant Conception of Human Nature The Importance of Human Needs Individuals and Their Identity Groups Conclusion 5. Conflict Resolution through Problem Solving The Dominant Conception of Conflict Burton's Theory of Conflict Galtung's Theory of Conflict Conflict Insights Derived from Psychology The Origins of International Conflict The Levels at Which Conflict May Be Resolved Problem Solving as an Approach to Conflict Needs or Power? 6. The Nature of Power The Consent Theory of Power The Structural Theory of Power Conclusion 7. The Gandhian Conception of Nonviolence Four Major Approaches to Nonviolence The Gandhian Conceptions of Society and the Individual The Gandhian Conceptions of Conflict and Nonviolence The Reformist and Pragmatic Approaches to Nonviolent Action The Importance of Power and Will Nonviolent Action and Coercion Conclusion 8. The Strategic Theory and Framework of Nonviolent Defense The Strategic Theory of Nonviolent Defense The Strategic Framework of Nonviolent Defense Conclusion 9. The Search for Security Feminist Perspectives on Security Indigenous Peoples' Perspectives on Security The South's Perspective on Security The Deep Ecological Perspective on Security Cooperative Security 10. The Strategic Theory of Nonviolent Defense Two Conceptions of "Nonviolent Defense" Arguments against Civilian-Based Defense Military Aggression and Nonviolent Defense The Strategic Theory of Nonviolent Defense Shortcomings in the Strategic Orientation of Civilian-Based Defense 11. Planning and Organizing Nonviolent Defense Strategic Planning The Political and Strategic Assessment The Conception of Nonviolence Organization Leadership Internal Communication Advance Preparations The Constructive Program Evaluation 12. The Strategy and Tactics of Nonviolent Defense The Political Purpose and the Strategic Aims The Strategic Timeframe Communication Strategic Considerations in the Selection of Nonviolent Tactics Secrecy and Sabotage Peacekeeping Nonviolent Defense Against an Extremely Ruthless Opponent 13. The Strategic Counteroffensive The Opponent Elite's Will Economic Sanctions The First Domain: The Opponent Elite's Troops The Second Domain: The Opponent Elite's Domestic Constituency The Third Domain: The Domestic Constituencies of Allied Elites Solidarity Action Conclusion Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index

Review

"The author does an exceptional job at questioning underlying assumptions (for example patriarchy, political realism, and the elitism of states). As a scholar in the area of nonviolent defense in my own right, I found myself personally benefited by this book's theme of moving beyond a statist perspective on conflict toward one which recognizes the non-satisfying of human needs as the cause of conflict." - Norman C. Freund, author of Nonviolent Defense: A Philosophical Inquiry into Applied Nonviolence "The author develops in clear prose, and with impressive documentation, a persuasive approach to a strategy of nonviolent defense, which has not been done before in such a systematic and comprehensive manner. The book's focus is of great importance for conflict theory, international relations, and the role of violence in inter-group relations." - Richard Falk, Princeton University

Promotional

Addresses the question of whether nonviolent defense can be an effective strategy against military violence. Drawing from the strategic theory of Carl von Clausewitz, the nonviolence of Mahatma Gandhi, and recent human needs and conflict theory, Burrowes develops a new strategic theory of nonviolent defense.

Long Description

Because of the way in which the history of nonviolence has been marginalized, relatively few people have a sense of the rich history of nonviolent struggle or realize that it can be systematically planned and applied. Nevertheless, the historical record illustrates that nonviolent struggle is a powerful form of political action. But can it be effective against military aggression? The Strategy of Nonviolent Defense answers this question in the affirmative by first defining the notion of "social cosmology"--the four mutually reinforcing features that determine the character of any society. It then devotes attention to strategies for dealing with conflict, in particular, to developing a strategic theory and framework for planning a strategy of nonviolent defense. In order to develop this theory, Burrowes synthesizes insights drawn from the strategic theory of Carl von Clausewitz, the nonviolence of Mahatma Gandhi, and recent human needs and conflict theory.

Review Quote

"The author does an exceptional job at questioning underlying assumptions (for example patriarchy, political realism, and the elitism of states). As a scholar in the area of nonviolent defense in my own right, I found myself personally benefited by this book's theme of moving beyond a statist perspective on conflict toward one which recognizes the non-satisfying of human needs as the cause of conflict." -- Norman C. Freund, author of Nonviolent Defense: A Philosophical Inquiry into Applied Nonviolence "The author develops in clear prose, and with impressive documentation, a persuasive approach to a strategy of nonviolent defense, which has not been done before in such a systematic and comprehensive manner. The book's focus is of great importance for conflict theory, international relations, and the role of violence in inter-group relations." -- Richard Falk, Princeton University

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