Editing Gene Sharp (section)

==Theory of nonviolent resistance==

Gene Sharp described the sources of his ideas as in-depth studies of [[Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi|Mohandas K. Gandhi]], [[A. J. Muste]],<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/09/t-magazine/gene-sharp-theorist-of-power.html The Quiet American, by Janine Di Giovanni] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301184830/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/09/t-magazine/gene-sharp-theorist-of-power.html |date=March 1, 2017 }} (NYTimes, September 3, 2012) Quote: 'After his release in 1954, Sharp worked for A. J. Muste, whom he calls “the most famous American pacifist.”'</ref>  [[Henry David Thoreau]] to a minor degree, and other sources footnoted in his 1973 book ''[[The Politics of Nonviolent Action]]'', which was based on his 1968 PhD thesis. In the book, he provides a pragmatic political analysis of nonviolent action as a method for applying power in a conflict.  The second volume of the book includes 198 methods of nonviolent action. The list has been regularly used by activists and been expanded on in reports for the International Center of Nonviolent Conflict to include digital and other tactics.<ref>{{Cite web |last=International Center on Nonviolent Conflict |last2=Beer |first2=Michael |date=2021-04-16 |title=Civil Resistance Tactics in the 21st Century: Report and Webinar |url=https://commonslibrary.org/civil-resistance-tactics-in-the-21st-century/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=The Commons Socail Change Library |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Joyce |first=Mary |last2=Meier |first2=Patrick |date=2019-11-02 |title=198 Nonviolent Methods Upgraded |url=https://commonslibrary.org/198-nonviolent-methods-upgraded/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=The Commons Social Change Library |language=en-AU}}</ref>

Sharp's key theme is that power is not monolithic; that is, it does not derive from some intrinsic quality of those who are in [[Power (politics)|power]].  For Sharp, political power, the power of any state – regardless of its particular structural organization – ultimately derives from the subjects of the state.  His fundamental belief is that any power structure relies upon the subjects' obedience to the orders of the ruler(s).  If subjects do not obey, rulers have no power.

In Sharp's view, all effective power structures have systems by which they encourage or extract obedience from their subjects.  States have particularly complex systems for keeping subjects obedient.  These systems include specific institutions (police, courts, regulatory bodies, etc.), but may also involve cultural dimensions that inspire obedience by implying that power ''is'' monolithic (the god cult of the Egyptian [[pharaoh]]s, the dignity of the office of the president, moral or ethical norms and taboos, etc.).  Through these systems, subjects are presented with a system of sanctions (imprisonment, fines, [[ostracism]]) and rewards (titles, wealth, fame) which influence the extent of their obedience.

Sharp identifies this hidden structure as providing a window of opportunity for a population to cause significant change in a state.  Sharp cites the insight of [[Étienne de La Boétie]] (1530–1563) that if the subjects of a particular state recognize that they are the source of the state's power, they can refuse their obedience and their leader(s) will be left without power.

Sharp published ''Waging Nonviolent Struggle: 20th Century Practice and 21st Century Potential'' in 2005. It builds on his earlier written works and documents case studies where nonviolent action has been applied, presents the lessons learned from those applications, and contains information on planning nonviolent struggle to make it more effective.

"[[How to Start a Revolution]]", a feature documentary by the Scottish director [[Ruaridh Arrow]] about the global influence of Gene Sharp's work, was released in September 2011. The film won "Best Documentary" and the "Mass Impact Award" at the [[Boston Film Festival]] in September 2011.<ref>{{cite news|first=Will |last=Travers |title=''How to Start a Revolution'' premieres at Boston Film Festival, wins awards |newspaper=Waging Nonviolence |date=27 September 2011 |url=http://wagingnonviolence.org/2011/09/how-to-start-a-revolution-premieres-at-boston-film-festival-wins-awards/|access-date=28 August 2019}}</ref> The European premiere was held at London's [[Raindance Film Festival]] on October 2, 2011, where it also won Best Documentary.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raindance.co.uk/site/index.php?id=543,7826,0,0,1,0 |title=How To Start A Revolution|access-date=2011-09-08 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012024412/http://www.raindance.co.uk/site/index.php?id=543,7826,0,0,1,0 |archive-date=October 12, 2011 |df=mdy-all }} (accessed September 8, 2011)</ref> A biography of Gene Sharp by Ruaridh Arrow based on the documentary was released in 2020.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://peacenews.info/node/9911/ruaridh-arrow-gene-sharp-how-start-revolution | title=Ruaridh Arrow, Gene Sharp: How to Start a Revolution &#124; Peace News }}</ref>