Reflection paper.
“Strategic Nonviolent Conflict”
Peter Ackerman and Christopher Cruegler.
Peter Ackerman and Christopher Cruegler in their book “Strategic Nonviolent
Conflict” emphasize the role of strategy in nonviolent protests and describe methods and principles of those protests. Authors hypothesize about the connection between the quality of the strategic choices made by nonviolent protagonists and the outcome of nonviolent struggle.
Nonviolent resistance is important part in any kind of struggle for human rights and freedom. Moreover, right strategy and conduct of this resistance makes it work better than violent conflicts. Success of nonviolent campaigns grows in time and we can assert that its efficiency proved by many examples. Recently, the most striking examples of such non-violent conflict are regime changes in former Soviet countries, the so-called velvet revolutions. These campaigns are based on mass rallies, consolidation protesting potential and were directly related with passing elections. It was the resistance by making full use the whole arsenal of techniques that are presented in the book of Ackerman and Cruegler. Obviously, that vivid examples should not hide from our view of other situations in which nonviolent struggle may not be conducted so openly.
As an example of just such a nonviolent campaign that has international support,
I would like to take the International Campaign for Tibet, declaring its objectives the provision of human rights and freedom for Tibetans. In this case, we will not see action inherent in velvet revolutions, since Tibet is a part of China and at this country is hardly possible to imagine scenarios such as those that occurred in the former Soviet Union. The Chinese government adheres to rigid positions on the situation in Tibet and continues to implement policy of erase the cultural differences between the Tibetans and the Chinese. Many Tibetans leave Tibet in order to avoid arrest and sanctions for their political charges. Political activism that runs counter to any Chinese communist party position is strictly prohibited and heavily penalized according to Chinese laws. Basic freedoms like freedom of expression, freedom of speech, freedom of assembles and other does not work properly in China. Government often labels such activity, as well as many simple assertions of the Tibetan identity, as "splittism" (attempting to "split Tibet from

China) in order to curtail dissent and ensure compliance with communist party policies. Punishments meted out for such activities can entail harsh prison terms and physical abuse. Tibetan political prisoners endure harsh prison conditions, including torture, deprivation of food and sleep, and long periods in isolation cells.
The majority of Tibetan political prisoners have been convicted of “crimes” relating to peaceful political activities, and for simply exercising their fundamental human rights. Due to the activity of the International Campaign for Tibet was able to free several prisoners, but many others are still in prison.
Although the book is considered here is a guide to action, and describes in detail the principles of nonviolent struggle, some of its provisions can be successfully applied in the case of protracted non-violent resistance. Full specter of development principles - formulate functional objectives, develop organizational strength, secure access to critical materials resources, cultivate external assistance, expand the repertoire of sanctions can be applied in case of Tibet. Some of these principles are successfully used in organization daily work. Functional objectives are already formulated, external assistance is growing up and access to critical resources is secured, because Campaign for Tibet is international.
Difficulties in applying other principles described in considering book based on international policy, relationship between governments and power of China. In the case of velvet revolutions, we are confronted with the strong support of the protest movement by European countries and USA. Such support is not possible in the case of China; what state wants to spoil relations with it? Also, do not forget that
China's communist government might react to such attempts to interfere in its sovereignty rather harshly. That is why the struggle of Tibetans for their rights is not such a bright and successful. The most telling example of how much influence
China has in the world, occurred during the summer Olympics 2008 in Beijing.
Then the situation in Tibet is often mentioned, talked about sanctions against China and even the possibility of boycotting the Olympics by some states. But boycott did not happen, Olympiad was held as usual, and the solution of problems in Tibet remained in place.
Nonviolent struggle of citizens in China will not bring much success, although the international community puts pressure on China. One may remember the suppression of Tiananmen Square protests in 1989. Then nonviolent attempt to performances of students for press freedom and democratization of China was brutally suppressed, citizens clashed with the army. After that in Western countries the events became known as the Tiananmen massacre. Around 100 000 people participated in this protest action and about a thousand of them died and it is unknown how many of them was put in prison or persecuted for their political position. Attempts to influence Chinese government continuing, a recent example of the Nobel Peace Prize to Chinese dissident is another attempt to pressure on
Chinese government, because this dissident stands in a jail.
In the example of China, we considered that the methods and principles of strategic nonviolent conflict may not always be applied and that the authors leave aside the extent to which the international situation affects the conduct of this struggle. Perhaps this is described in the following chapters.