LiegentFrom Dictatorship to Democracy: A Conceptual Framework for Liberation
Dictatorships appear invincible, wielding overwhelming military force and controlling entire populations through fear and brutality. Yet history reveals a surprising truth: some of the world's most powerful authoritarian regimes have crumbled not through violent revolution, but when ordinary citizens withdraw their cooperation and consent. Gene Sharp's work systematically examines this phenomenon, identifying the specific vulnerabilities that make dictatorships susceptible to nonviolent resistance. This short provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how political power actually functions, revealing that even totalitarian systems depend entirely on population support to survive. Sharp offers oppressed populations worldwide a practical roadmap for achieving liberation without resorting to violence, demonstrating that freedom depends not on external saviors but on citizens' willingness to reclaim their own power.
Gene Sharp was an American political scientist who became the world's leading authority on nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience. He spent decades at Harvard University and later founded the Albert Einstein Institution, where he systematically studied the methods and effectiveness of nonviolent political action. Sharp's research provided the theoretical foundation for understanding how nonviolent movements can challenge authoritarian regimes, and his work has been credited with influencing pro-democracy movements worldwide.
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