Contents

Acknowledgements

Author’s Note

Preface

1Facing Dictatorships Realistically

A continuing problem

Freedom through violence?

Coups, elections, foreign saviors?

Facing the hard truth

2The Dangers of Negotiations

Merits and limitations of negotiations

Negotiated surrender?

Power and justice in negotiations

“Agreeable” dictators

What kind of peace?

Reasons for hope

3Whence Comes the Power?

The “Monkey Master” fable

Necessary sources of political power

Centers of democratic power

4Dictatorships Have Weaknesses

Identifying the Achilles’ heel

Weaknesses of dictatorships

Attacking weaknesses of dictatorships

5Exercising Power

The workings of nonviolent struggle

Nonviolent weapons and discipline

Openness, secrecy, and high standards

Shifting power relationships

Four mechanisms of change

Democratizing effects of political defiance

Complexity of nonviolent struggle

6The Need for Strategic Planning

Realistic planning

Hurdles to planning

Four important terms in strategic planning

7Planning Strategy

Choice of means

Planning for democracy

External assistance

Formulating a grand strategy

Planning campaign strategies

Spreading the idea of noncooperation

Repression and countermeasures

Adhering to the strategic plan

8Applying Political Defiance

Selective resistance

Symbolic challenge

Spreading responsibility

Aiming at the dictators’ power

Shifts in strategy

9Disintegrating the Dictatorship

Escalating freedom

Disintegrating the dictatorship

Handling success responsibly

10Groundwork for Durable Democracy

Threats of a new dictatorship

Blocking coups

Constitution drafting

A democratic defense policy

A meritorious responsibility

Appendix:
The Methods of Nonviolent Action

Notes