Strategic planning and tactical choices are essential considerations in effective civil resistance. This session offers a strategic framework with which to analyze civil resistance movements. It also examines numerous tactics available to civil resisters, and explores issues involved in tactical choice, success and failure.
34. Objectives
Tactics are more effective when they are used for
objectives that are:
• Clearly defined
• Achievable
• Attract wide support
• Connect to a strategy
39. Message
A tactic’s accompanying message can
account for 50% or more of the tactic’s
success. Effective messages:
• unite a movement’s supporters
• divide an opponent’s supporters
41. 2. How is the Message Conveyed
Focus – How threatening is the message to the status
quo? Is the message addressing a political or a non-
political issue?
Justification -- Is the movement invoking cultural values,
religion, widely held beliefs, patriotism and/or its
opponent’s own stated values and laws?
Emotion and Appearance -- Are the participants peaceful,
aggressive, angry, steadfast, afraid, concerned,
vengeful, threatening, disciplined, reasonable, extreme,
confident, strong, clear?
Messenger -- Consider social distance between the
messenger and the intended audience.