From Dictatorship to Democracy: A Conceptual Framework for Liberation
From Dictatorship to Democracy: A Conceptual Framework for Liberation
From Dictatorship to Democracy: A Conceptual Framework for Liberation
Description
Description
A seminal work on the power of nonviolent action, this classic book outlines, in a systematic way, the elements involved in successfully opposing military dictatorships by passive means. This work shows how nonviolent action grows from the fact that all governments depend on the cooperation, or at least the general compliance, of the people they govern and in particular on the loyalty of key institutions. From there, it discusses how, if a government's base of support in society is eroded, it becomes increasingly difficult for it to govern, to the point where it can no longer rely on these crucial institutions of administration, persuasion, and coercion. This edition also considers historical evidence, insists on the importance of advance planning and preparation, and identifies key factors to be taken into account in devising sound strategies and tactics. Tactics and strategies that may be adapted for various circumstances are also included.
About the Author
About the Author
Gene Sharp (1928-2018) advised governments and resistance movements around the world and was considered the most influential living promoter of nonviolent resistance to autocratic governments. He was a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and the founder of the Albert Einstein Institution, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the study of nonviolent action.
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
Praise for From Dictatorship to Democracy:
"Not since Machiavelli has a book had such impact in shifting the balance of power"
--The The Times of London "Few Americans have heard of Dr. Sharp. But for decades, his practical writings on nonviolent revolution--most notably [his] guide to toppling autocrats--have inspired dissidents around the world, including Burma, Bosnia, Estonia and Zimbabwe, and now Tunisia and Egypt."
--The New York Times "In June 2007, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez publicly accused Mr. Sharp of stirring unrest in Venezuela. . . . The target of all this intrigue and animosity is eighty years old and slightly stooped. He walks with a cane."
--The Wall Street Journal "The man who changed the world."
--The Boston Globe "Hailed as the manual by those who conducted people-power coups in Eastern Europe, its contents were no secret in Iran. . . . Officials saw this summer's unrest as the fruit of his strategies."
--The Christian Science Monitor
"Not since Machiavelli has a book had such impact in shifting the balance of power"
--The The Times of London "Few Americans have heard of Dr. Sharp. But for decades, his practical writings on nonviolent revolution--most notably [his] guide to toppling autocrats--have inspired dissidents around the world, including Burma, Bosnia, Estonia and Zimbabwe, and now Tunisia and Egypt."
--The New York Times "In June 2007, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez publicly accused Mr. Sharp of stirring unrest in Venezuela. . . . The target of all this intrigue and animosity is eighty years old and slightly stooped. He walks with a cane."
--The Wall Street Journal "The man who changed the world."
--The Boston Globe "Hailed as the manual by those who conducted people-power coups in Eastern Europe, its contents were no secret in Iran. . . . Officials saw this summer's unrest as the fruit of his strategies."
--The Christian Science Monitor
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
Publisher:
New Press
Pub date:
2026-04-28
Length:
176 pages
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