Peter Ackerman Books

This nationally-acclaimed book shows how popular movements used nonviolent action to overthrow dictators, obstruct military invaders and secure human rights in country after country, over the past century. Peter Ackerman and Jack DuVall depict how nonviolent sanctions--such as protests, strikes and boycotts--separate brutal regimes from their means of control. They tell inside stories--how Danes outmaneuvered the Nazis, Solidarity defeated Polish communism, and mass action removed a Chilean dictator--and also how nonviolent power is changing the world today, from Burma to Serbia.

Civil resistance campaigns, characterized by strikes, boycotts, and mass protests, are highlighted as the most effective means for populations to confront oppressive regimes. This guide aims to empower dissidents by enhancing their strategic thinking and skills in the pursuit of democracy and human rights. It also serves as a valuable resource for foreign policy and democracy promotion professionals, offering insights into the dynamics of pro-democracy activism. The book emphasizes the critical importance of these campaigns in fostering a new wave of democratic freedom globally.