Session Five: Nonviolent Responses to Authoritarianism

Session Five: Nonviolent Responses to Authoritarianism

under construction

Essential Questions:

• What makes nonviolent direct action distinct from other forms of resistance?

• What conditions make nonviolent resistance effective against authoritarian regimes?

• What types of tactics are used against state repression?

• What role does mass participation play in the success of nonviolent action?

• What lessons can be drawn from past nonviolent struggles against authoritarianism?

• What are the risks involved for  nonviolent activists from the authoritarian state?

• How can nonviolent movements ensure lasting democratic change after authoritarianism falls?

Music: Patti Smith, "People Have the Power," Link to Site

Welcome and Introductions:

Gathering: A question that I have for the speaker is... (chat room)

Speaker: Rivera Sun

Readings:

• Daniel Hunter, "Free DC Models effective resistance to trump's Takeover," Waging Nonviolence, 8/11/25 Link to Site

Maria Stephan, "How We Can Meet the Challenges of Authoritarianism,"Waging Nonviolence, November 13,2024 Link to Site

Maria Stephan & Rivera Sun, "What Can We Do? The top 10 most effective nonviolent actions to meet this moment, podcast, Franciscan Action Network, 7/5/25 Link to class

• Lydialyle Gibson, "The Professor Who Quantified Democracy,' Harvard magazine, July-August 2025, Link to Site

• Justin Teicher, "Grid interviews legendary activist George Lakey on his inspirations, the current political moment and what keeps him motivated," The Grid, #194, July 2025, Link to Site

• George Lakey, "Can Nonviolent Struggle Defeat a Dictator? This Database Emphatically Say Yes,"

Waging Nonviolence, January 8, 2025 Link to Site

• George Lakey, "What If Americans Protested Like Icelanders, " Waging Nonviolence, April 7, 2016

Resources:

• James B. Greenberg, "Resisting Rule by Fear: Lessons from Past Struggles on How to Confront Authoritarian Power in America," James Substack, 8/31/25 Link to Site

• Erica Chenowith interview, " Could the 3.5% Protest Rule Stop Donald Trump? Pod Save America,  Link to Site

• David Brooks, "What's Happening is not Normal. America Needs an Uprising That is Not Normal," New York Times, 4/17/25 Link to Site

Barbara Peterson, "Why Building Inspiring Alternatives is Necessary to Counter Authoritarianism," Waging Nonviolence, May 15, 2025, Link to Site

• Heather Cox Richardson, Why Do We Protest in America? How Should We Protest? June 10, 2025, Link to Site

• video, "Bringing Down a Dictator," A Force More Powerful Link to Site

• video, "We Were Warriors,", A Force More Powerful     Link to Site

• Closing: reflective sentence starter (chat room)

Quotes:

Problems are opportunities in disguise

                    The Peace Pilgrim

    "I wish that it not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, " and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to  decide. All we have to do decide is what to do with the time that is given us."

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring 

If three percent of Americans took to the street instead of looking for justice in the next election we would actually see what a political revolution looks like.

            Georgte Lakey 4/7/16

Closing: "Something that I learned today was...."