Chenoweth:Why Civil Resistance Works

"Why Civil Resistance Works" by Erica Chenoweth and Maria J. Stephan provides a comprehensive analysis of the effectiveness of nonviolent resistance movements compared to violent approaches. The authors examine the successes and failures of such campaigns over a century, from 1900 to 2006, and demonstrate that nonviolent resistance is more than twice as effective in achieving its goals. By combining statistical analyses and case studies from various countries and regions, they identify key factors that favor the success of nonviolent movements. These movements mobilize broad support from the population and employ various forms of civil disobedience to separate governments from their sources of power. The study's findings highlight that high participation in nonviolent actions increases resilience and fosters innovative tactics, leading to remarkable outcomes.