How to overthrow a dictator

1
How to overthrow a dictator

• Applying NVDA in authoritarian settings

This presentation is based on writing by Gene
Sharp and Maria J. Stephan.
2
Definition of NVDA

• A battle option and type of unconventional
  warfare involving ordinary people involved in
  collective acts of strategic stubbornness and
  defiance
• (Maria Stephan)
• A technique of sociopolitical action for
  applying power in conflict without the use of
  violence
• (Gene Sharp)

3
How does power work?

• Monolithic model
• People power model
• How does dictatorial power work? (see Chapter 3)
• What are the weaknesses of dictatorial power (see
  chapter 4)

4
If you are stuck in an authoritarian country and
want to change its politics, what are the
problems with using violence (armed struggle) or
relying on foreign actors? What is the
underlying problem with negotiating for change?
5
What are the 4 general tasks you need to
undertake to overthrow a dictator, according to
Sharp? (chapter 1)

• Strengthen the oppressed population
• Strengthen civic organizations
• Create a power internal resistance fo rce
• Develop a grand strategic plan, and implement it

6
What are some of the advantages of NVDA
(political defiance)? (chapter 5)What common
errors do many NVDA campaigns make?
7
Nonviolent weapons system200 NV repertoires in
3 categories

• Protest and persuasion marches, demos, streat
  theater, vigils, etc
• Noncooperation strikes, boycotts, civil
  disobedience, tax revolts, etc.
• Direct Intervention sit-ins, creation of
  parallel institutions, lying in front of
  bulldozers, etc.

8
What are the four possible outcomes of NVDA
(mechanisms of change)? (chapter 5)

• Conversion
• Accommodation
• Nonviolent coercion
• disintegration

9
What are some of the key tips Sharp offers for
waging successful NVDA?

• PLAN!
• Education spread idea of NVDA and noncooperation
• Start small if you are likely to get repressed
• Selective resistance have separate campaigns for
  specific and smaller objectives
• Stick to the plan

10
Myths of NVDA

• NVDA pacifism
• Effective only against liberal democracies
• NVDA weapon of the weak