Nonviolent Action, Trust and Building a Culture of Peace

Abstract

This chapter argues that nonviolent action, as a method of making contention, makes three important contributions to building and sustaining a culture of peace. First, nonviolent means of struggle promote social norms that eschew violence, even without any kind of overarching commitment to pacifism. Second, nonviolent struggle helps to build trust among individuals and groups, even when they find themselves in contention. Third, the structural requirements for effective nonviolent action diffuse power throughout society—effectively empowering groups who might otherwise be excluded, broadening democratic participation, and valuing inter-group communication. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved). (chapter)