Conflict Resolution Through Non Violence

Nonviolent action, well planned and implemented, is shown in this lucid, timely, and compelling work to effect dramatic outcomes against opponents utilizing violence. Ackerman and Kruegler recognize that not all nonviolent efforts meet with success and they are careful to stress that a nonviolent approach involves great risks as well as opportunities. It is the effectiveness of the strategies employed which will determine whether those using nonviolent means can prevail against opponents who rely on violence in pursuit of objectives. Twelve principles of strategic nonviolence are established in this book--they serve as a conceptual foundation and enhance the prospects of success in nonviolent campaigns of resistance. The authors also develop six twentieth century examples of nonviolent action from the early Russian Revolution of 1904-1906 through the Solidarity movement in 1980-1981. Each campaign narrative constitutes a fascinating reading experience and illustrates common themes, strategies, and important aspects of behavior on the part of major participants in nonviolent encounters. This is a singularly important book. It offers more than a mere plea for nonviolence. Ackerman and Kruegler provide hard lessons based on important, and often painful, historical efforts: principles to govern the choice and implementation of strategies when nonviolence is the determined response; and insightful analysis to guide assessment and policy. Finally, the authors consider the evolving international situation and relate current themes and policies to the potential inherent in astute and deliberate programs of nonviolence. A work which will focus analysis, impact decision-making, stimulate policy consideration, and invigorate research, this volume will well serve professionals and students in international relations and numerous related fields.

1. Training in Non-Violence Acharya Tulsi ...........................................................11 2. Non-Violence and its Many Facets Acharya Mahaprajna.................................................21 3. Ecology and Non-Violence Acharya Mahashraman .............................................31 4. Role of Women in the Training for Non-Violence Sadhavi Pramukha Kanak Prabha...............................35 5. Toward a Non-Violent 21St Century Glenn D. Paige.........................................................41 6. The Spirituality of Non-Violence Donal Harrington......................................................50 7. Peace and Conflict-Resolution: Indian Experience of Non-Violence Professor Ramjee Singh ............................................61 8. Human Rights as the Basic Principle for Non-Violence Training Luis Perez Aguirre ....................................................79 9. Peace With Justice and Dignity Guillermo Michel......................................................88 10. Ahimsa And Human Development: A Different Paradigm for Conflict Resolution Ursula Oswald Spring .............................................102 11. Nonviolence as a Science of Conflict Resolution Antonino Drago ......................................................123 12. Globalization Process and Conflicts in the World Order B.M. Jain ..............................................................135 13. Towards an Era of Culture of Peace N. Radhakrishnan ..................................................147 14. Sustainable Development for Peaceful Living B.R. Dugar ............................................................159 15. Teaching Peace and Harmony Through English Dr Sanjay Goyal......................................................168 16. Gandhian Technique of Conflict Resolution: An International Perspective Dashrath Singh ......................................................176 17. Non-Violence in the Information Age Katsuya Kodama ....................................................198 18. The Way of Nonviolence R. B. Deats............................................................204 19. Vision for Human Development and Self-Transformation N.B. Mirza.............................................................213 20. Education as Impetus in Shaping Attitudes Relating to Peace and the Environment Kamala Sharma .....................................................225

Paddock has referred to societies as "anti-violent" that Inhibit the expressIon of aggresSion. In his book Violence and Aggression, KE. Moyer nas made a brief but interesting comparison of several violent and nonviolent cultures. Whereas studies of violence have ranged from genetic, cultural to Situation effects, and have been pursued through empirical and nonempirical methods over the past several decades, nonviolence did not become a favorite area of study among social scientists. Although it is impossible to make a complete list of the various reasons for the lack of interest among social scientists on this subject, it is generally believed that a lack of understanding of the concept and a failure to either develop or apply adequate methods are to Olame. Therefore we are not surprized that nonviolence has remained, by and large, a favorite topic among religious thinkers and leaders only. A good example of how people have difficulty understanding the concept of nonviolence came to me when I delivered a lecture to a group of political science students several years ago. I experienced similar problems when I spoke to the history and political science professors. Subsequent dialogues with faculty members in other disciplines convinced me that our perspectives on nonVIolence were not commonly clear to all of us. or course, most of us did agree on one thing--that Is, there Is a distinct difference separating Eastern from Western views of nonviolence.

Evolutionary biologist Dr. Judith L. Hand explores, from a biological perspective, the root causes of war and explains why war is not an inescapable facet of human nature. Drawing upon diverse fields from biology to anthropology to psychology, the author outlines a coherent strategy to end war, setting such a campaign in its historical context and explaining why a great paradigm shift in conflict resolution, from economies based on war to economies based on ending war, could occur within a relatively short period of time.

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.

Violent conflicts today are complex and increasingly protracted, involving more nonstate groups and regional and international actors. It is estimated that by 2030—the horizon set by the international community for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals—more than half of the world’s poor will be living in countries affected by high levels of violence. Information and communication technology, population movements, and climate change are also creating shared risks that must be managed at both national and international levels. Pathways for Peace is a joint United Nations†“World Bank Group study that originates from the conviction that the international community’s attention must urgently be refocused on prevention. A scaled-up system for preventive action would save between US$5 billion and US$70 billion per year, which could be reinvested in reducing poverty and improving the well-being of populations. The study aims to improve the way in which domestic development processes interact with security, diplomacy, mediation, and other efforts to prevent conflicts from becoming violent. It stresses the importance of grievances related to exclusion—from access to power, natural resources, security and justice, for example—that are at the root of many violent conflicts today. Based on a review of cases in which prevention has been successful, the study makes recommendations for countries facing emerging risks of violent conflict as well as for the international community. Development policies and programs must be a core part of preventive efforts; when risks are high or building up, inclusive solutions through dialogue, adapted macroeconomic policies, institutional reform, and redistributive policies are required. Inclusion is key, and preventive action needs to adopt a more people-centered approach that includes mainstreaming citizen engagement. Enhancing the participation of women and youth in decision making is fundamental to sustaining peace, as well as long-term policies to address the aspirations of women and young people.