What is political and social power? What are the differences between power based on
violence, and nonviolence? What is nonviolence? Do we recognize it in our daily lives?
We easily recognize power when it is used to control others, including with violence. But there are many ways that nonviolence, a kind of power we build with others to make things happen, though far less visible, is what primarily moves and shapes our world.
Other writers have offered important analyses of Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy and law, and I hope you read them carefully. My purpose here is to ask you to take a close examination of how we get things done in our personal lives, as well as how we can change or influence government.
Michael Kurlansky, in the opening of his book “Nonviolence,” notes the absence of clear definitions of it. He goes on to explore the concept and history of nonviolence, with in-depth analyses of how it has been used through history to overthrow authoritarian regimes. His primary thesis is that nonviolence is extremely powerful and effective, and may be largely unstudied and un-taught because it is “a dangerous idea” to those holding power.
So first, how do you make things happen? When you want family or friends to help you with a project, how do you make things happen in the way you would like? Do you order people, or persuade? Do you share your reasons for the project? Do you expect people to do what you want without question? Do you consider the needs of others, or set a date and assume they will show up? Do you listen to suggestions or concerns, or do you let people know it’s your way or the highway?
We all have skills to help us get things done. Some have chosen to work with others in a
cooperative way, and others are more comfortable with a top-down approach. Some use
persuasion, information sharing, and creative problem solving, with hopes that the results will benefit all. Others may use negative consequences, unquestioned authority, manipulation, or even intimidation and threats. Many use a variety of these methods, to a certain degree and depending on the situation.
When we think about how our system of government gets things done we know that fundamentally we are a country ruled by laws, which are made by people and can be changed by people. We urge our elected representatives to act in one way or another during their terms in office. Locally we may have more influence on our elected officials. Larger government actions are often out of the immediate reach of citizens, but elections have been the way to change course.
With any of these levels of government it takes time, organizing with others, and understanding the system in order to make things happen. But there’s the key, we have had
systems in place with well-known procedures for citizen involvement. Granted, these systems have had many flaws and not all citizens have equal access to press for influence and change.
From our beginnings to now, the work continues for equal rights and justice. But the current administration is dismantling all of the systems. The unprecedented pace, volume, and nature of the large-scale changes they are making, are only matched by the cruelty with which they carry it out. They have put lives at grave danger, and they create fear and anxiety for all. If this were not enough, they have stacked the Supreme Court in their favor,
the court we’ve relied on to be the backstop when official actions are unconstitutional.
Martin Luther King, Jr. argued that nonviolence offers “the most intelligent means of confronting social disorder.” He wrote in his 1967 book, “Where Do We Go From Here? Chaos or Community?” that “True nonviolence is more than the absence of violence. It is the persistent and determined application of peaceable power to offenses against the community — in this case the world community.”
I return to the ideas with which I opened this column. There are different ways to make things happen. Which uses kindness? Which uses cruelty? Which dehumanizes and harms, and which considers the needs and dignity of all?
We have so much power. This “peaceable power” that we use in our daily lives is waiting
for us to harness with large-scale coordination and participation. Now is the time to
learn more about it, discuss it, and be ready to act together.
Susanae Glovacki lives in Greenfield and has been dusting off her skills, and deep-diving into reading the history and applications of nonviolence.