Synopses & Reviews
From the 494 B.C. plebeians' march out of Rome to gain improved status, to Gandhi's nonviolent campaigns in India, to the liberation of Poland and the Baltic nations, and the revolutions in North Africa, nonviolent struggles have played pivotal roles in world events for centuries.
Sharp's Dictionary of Power and Struggle is a groundbreaking reference work on this topic by the "godfather of nonviolent resistance." In nearly 1,000 entries, the
Dictionary defines those ideologies, political systems, strategies, methods, and concepts that form the core of nonviolent action as it has occurred throughout history and across the globe, providing much-needed clarification of language that is often mired in confusion. Entries discuss everything from militarization to censorship, guerrilla theater, pacifism, secret agents, and protest songs. In addition, the dictionary features a foreword by Sir Adam Roberts, President of the British Academy; an introduction by Gene Sharp; an essay on power and realism; case studies of conflicts in Serbia and Tunisia; and a guide for further reading.
Sharp's Dictionary of Power and Struggle is an invaluable resource for activists, educators and anyone else curious about nonviolent alternatives to both passivity and violent conflict.
"Gene Sharp is perhaps the most influential proponent of nonviolent action alive."--The Progressive
"Sharp has had broad influence on international events over the past two decades, helping to advance a global democratic awakening."--The Wall Street Journal
"[Sharp's] work has served as the template for taking on authoritarian regimes from Burma to Belgrade."--The Christian Science Monitor
Review
Mr. Sharp has had broad influence on international events over the past two decades, helping to advance a global democratic awakening. -- Wall Street Journal
Gene Sharp is perhaps the most influential proponent of nonviolent action alive. His work has served as a how-to manual for activists in a swath of countries across Eastern Europe and Asia. -- The Progressive
Long considered the foremost authority in his field, Sharp has inspired generations of progressive peace, labor, feminist, environmental, and social justice activists in the United States and around the world. -- Stephen Zunes, Huffington Post
Gene Sharp, a retired Harvard researcher, is considered the godfather of nonviolent resistance. Since the early 1970s, his work has served as the template for taking on authoritarian regimes from Burma to Belgrade. -- The Christian Science Monitor
"This unique and highly specialized dictionary by Sharp covers almost any term or concept that is related to civil resistance, particularly nonviolent resistance...This volume succeeds in establishing definitions for the changing language of civil resistance and will contribute to the creation of a comprehensive vocabulary for discussions of this topic."--CHOICE
Synopsis
Sharp's Dictionary of Power and Struggle is the first dictionary to explain in unambiguous, accessible language the terminology of civilian struggle. In 994 entries, the Dictionary defines those ideologies, political systems, strategies, concepts and more that form the core of nonviolent action as it has occurred throughout history and across the globe, providing much-needed clarification of language that is often mired in confusion. Entries discuss everything from militarization to censorship, guerrilla theater, pacifism, different types of protest, and the effects of protest songs.
Written by renowned scholar Gene Sharp, the Dictionary includes, in addition to the A-Z entries, a foreword by Sir Adam Roberts, President of the British Academy; an introduction by the author; two case studies of instances of mass protest, one on Serbia and one on Tunisia, an essay on power; a list of the 198 methods of nonviolent action that have been used in historical instances of nonviolent struggle, and a guide for further reading. The Dictionary is an ideal resource for those wishing to better understand the concepts behind civilian struggle, such as activists, educators, journalists, lawyers, researchers, and anyone with an interest in or curiosity about world events. It is a groundbreaking work by the "godfather of nonviolent resistance" (the Christian Science Monitor).
About the Author
Gene Sharp is the founder of the Albert Einstein Institution and Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. He is the author of more than a dozen books that have been translated into over 60 languages. His works include Gandhi as a Political Strategist, Waging Nonviolent Struggle: 20th Century Practice and 21st Century Potential and Nonviolent Action: A Research Guide. Sharp's writings have had a direct effect on nonviolent resistance tactics around the globe, from Iran to Venezuela to Russia.
Table of Contents
Foreword by Sir Adam Roberts
Author's Preface
Introduction
An Essay on Nonviolent Struggles in History
An Essay on Power
The Dictionary of Power and Struggle
Appendix One: For further reading
Appendix Two: About the author
Appendix Three: Acknowledgements
Appendix Four: List of entries