Sharp's Dictionary of Power and Struggle: Language of Civil Resistance in Conflicts

by Gene Sharp, Adam Roberts

From the 494 B.C. plebeians' march out of Rome to gain improved status, to Gandhi's nonviolent campaigns in India, to the liberation of Poland and the Baltic nations, and the revolutions in North Africa, nonviolent struggles have played pivotal roles in world events for centuries. Sharp's Dictionary of Power and Struggle is a groundbreaking reference work on this topic by the "godfather of nonviolent resistance." In nearly 1,000 entries, the Dictionary defines those ideologies, political systems, strategies, methods, and concepts that form the core of nonviolent action as it has occurred throughout history and across the globe, providing much-needed clarification of language that is often mired in confusion. Entries discuss everything from militarization to censorship, guerrilla theater, pacifism, secret agents, and protest songs. In addition, the dictionary features a foreword by Sir Adam Roberts, President of the British Academy; an introduction by Gene Sharp; an essay on power
and realism; case studies of conflicts in Serbia and Tunisia; and a guide for further reading. Sharp's Dictionary of Power and Struggle is an invaluable resource for activists, educators and anyone else curious about nonviolent alternatives to both passivity and violent conflict.

"Gene Sharp is perhaps the most influential proponent of nonviolent action alive."-- The Progressive

"Sharp has had broad influence on international events over the past two decades, helping to advance a global democratic awakening."-- The Wall Street Journal

"[Sharp's] work has served as the template for taking on authoritarian regimes from Burma to Belgrade."-- The Christian Science Monitor

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published October 3, 2011

About the author

Gene Sharp was an American political scientist. He was the founder of the Albert Einstein Institution, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the study of nonviolent action, and professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. He was known for his extensive writings on nonviolent struggle, which have influenced numerous anti-government resistance movements around the world.
Sharp received the 2008 Int’l Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award for his lifelong commitment to the defense of freedom, democracy, and the reduction of political violence through scholarly analysis of the power of nonviolent action. Unofficial sources have claimed that Sharp was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015, and had previously been nominated three times, in 2009, 2012 and 2013. Sharp was widely considered the favorite for the 2012 award. In 2011, he was awarded the El-Hibri Peace Education Prize. In 2012, he was a recipient of the Right Livelihood Award for "developing and articulating the core principles and strategies of nonviolent resistance and supporting their practical implementation in conflict areas around the world".

Reviews

[Dom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scrolled through to look at language, read introductions and extended explanations.

[Mike Staresinic · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to pick off the shelf every now and again and re-read definitions is important for our times: we hear in common use and in the news of "protestors" who bash in retail windows, or perform other crimes. These would not fit the definition of non-violent protest as Sharp defines it. Also, protest is highly, highly political, as used by skilled nonviolent protesters, but fighting for rights is most often effectively non-partisan, not viewed through highly partisan lenses as in the USA at the time of this review. Reading Sharp's dictionary can quickly get the reader up to speed on the language, power, dynamics and politics of nonviolent conflict.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compilation by the godfather of 20th-21st century nonviolent revolution. I have the Nook e-book and it isn't very useful since this book is largely a list with definitions and the Nook version doesn't have links.

Anyone interested in civil resistance on any scale, whether practicing or studying, should have a shelf full of Sharp's books.

[Tom]

Fascinating piece in Intn'l Herald Tribune re "dilemma protests" in Moscow, inspired, in part, by this book, which article references.

[Sergio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing examples of what people can do together if they stand up for what they believe.