The following analyses appears in Volume 4, Issue 1 of the Peace Science Digest. Citation: Sombatpoonsiri, J. (2018). Rethinking civil resistance in the face of rightwing populism: A theoretical inquiry. Journal of Peacebuilding & Development, 13(3), 7-22. Key Words: nonviolent/civil resistance; rightwing populism; neoliberal
nonviolence
The following analysis is from Volume 3, Issue 4 of the Peace Science Digest Citation: Cunningham, K. G., Dahl, M. & Frugé, A. (2017). Strategies of resistance: Diversification and diffusion. American Journal of Political Science, 6, 591-605. This study is
Before the internet, protesters lacked social media's networking capabilities that allow movements to coordinate and share information in real time. But now, movements have the ability to grow so rapidly that they skip preparation stages that are often vital to movement success.
During resistance movements, repression can backfire. Rather than crippling the resistance, repression often fuels resistance and undercuts the legitimacy of a power elite.
A student-led movement in Bosnia and Herzegovina successfully defeated a government plan to segregate their school. The contagious nature of nonviolent movements may have contributed to their success.
During Donald Trump's recent state visit to the UK, protesters carried an inflatable baby Trump blimp to bring humor to their protest of his domestic and foreign policy. Humor, in various forms, has a long tradition in protest movements.
Nationwide, Iranian truckers have united in protest demanding better wages. Their protest, in conjunction with rising levels of resistance to Iran's leader, Ali Khamenei, signify a changing tide in Iranian society.
On May 8th, 2018, the U.S. pulled out of the Iran Nuclear Deal. The Trump administration claims the deal is unfair and leaves plenty of opportunities for Iran to develop a nuclear weapon--a claim all other parties to the deal disagree with.
In Colombia, opposition groups were granted increased access to political representation as part of the ongoing peace process--successfully reducing violence at the polls.
On April 4, 2018, Sierra Leone democratically elected its first president following years of civil war. Peace science shows how nonviolent civil resistance during government transition is important to the health and longevity of a democracy.