From Dictatorship to Democracy: A Guide to Nonviolent Resistance

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Profile Books, Jul 7, 2011 - Political Science - 260 pages

From Dictatorship to Democracy was a pamphlet, printed and distributed by Dr Gene Sharp and based on his study, over a period of forty years, on non-violent methods of demonstration. Now in its fourth edition, it was originally handed out by the Albert Einstein Institution, and although never actively promoted, to date it has been translated into thirty-one languages. This astonishing book travelled as a photocopied pamphlet from Burma to Indonesia, Serbia and most recently Egypt, Tunisia and Syria, with dissent in China also reported.

Surreptitiously handed out amongst youth uprisings the world over - how the 'how-to' guide came about and its role in the recent Arab uprisings is an extraordinary tale. Once read you'll find yourself urging others to read it and indeed want to gift it.

 

Contents

the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher
Facing Dictatorships Realistically
Facing the hard truth
Whence Comes the Power?
1
Dictatorships have Weaknesses
Openness secrecy and high standards
hurdles to planning
Applying Political Defiance
Disintegrating the Dictatorship
Groundwork for Durable Democracy
22
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Copyright

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About the author (2011)

Gene Sharp holds degrees from universities across the world. He is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. He was previously at Harvard University's Center for International Affairs. For his lifelong commitment to the defence of freedom, democracy, and the reduction of political violence he was awarded the Courage of Conscience award in 2008. He is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee.

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