Date: Mon, 27 May 1996 14:42 AEST
To: Pr.Bruxelles@agora.stm.it
This book might interest people organising the 1998 World Satyagraha for Tibet.
Best wishes; Robert
***
NONVIOLENT DEFENSE: new book
A book just published explains in detail how to develop a comprehensive nonviolent strategy to resist all forms of military aggression. It offers specific political and strategic guidance for resisting foreign military intervention and/or occupation (of the type suffered by Tibet, Palestine and East Timor) and for resisting internal military repression (of the type suffered by Burma, China and Nigeria). The book is:
Robert J. Burrowes, "The Strategy of Nonviolent Defense: A Gandhian Approach". Albany: State University of New York Press, 1996. ISBN
paperback: 0-7914-2588-6; ISBN hardcover: 0-7914-2587-8. 367 pages
The text of the SUNY Press book announcement follows:
"The author does an exceptional job at questioning underlying assumptions (for example patriarchy, political realism, and the elitism of states). As a scholar in the area of nonviolent defense in my own right, I found myself personally benefited by this book's theme of moving beyond a statist perspective on conflict toward one which recognizes the non-satisfying of human needs as the cause of conflict." - Norman C. Freund, author of "Nonviolent Defense: A Philosophical Inquiry into Applied Nonviolence"
"The author develops in clear prose, and with impressive documentation, a persuasive approach to a strategy of nonviolent defense, which has not been done before in such a systematic and comprehensive manner. The book's focus is of great importance for conflict theory, international relations, and the role of violence in inter-group relations." - Richard Falk, Princeton University
Given the way in which the history of nonviolence has been marginalized, relatively few people have a sense of the rich history of nonviolent struggle or realize that it can be systematically planned and applied.
Nevertheless, the historical record illustrates that nonviolent struggle is a powerful form of political action. But can it be effective against military aggression?
`The Strategy of Nonviolent Defense' answers this question in the affirmative by first defining the notion of "social cosmology" - the four mutually reinforcing features that determine the character of any society.
It then devotes attention to strategies for dealing with conflict, in particular, to developing a strategic theory and framework for planning a strategy of nonviolent defense. In order to develop this theory, Burrowes synthesizes insights drawn from the strategic theory of Carl von Clausewitz, the nonviolence of Mahatma Gandhi, and recent human needs and conflict theory.
Robert J. Burrowes has been a member of the Australian Nonviolence Network since 1981 and has been involved in many nonviolent action campaigns. He is best known for his war tax resistance, his involvement in the campaign of the Melbourne Rainforest Action Group, and his membership in the Gulf Peace Team. He now devotes all of his time to nonviolent activism, education, and research.
The paperback costs $US16.95; the hardcover costs $US49.50; and postage outside the USA costs $US4 for the first copy and $US1 for each copy thereafter. The book can be paid for with a credit card and ordered from:
State University of New York Press
c/o CUP Services
P.O. Box 6525
Ithaca
New York 14851
USA
Tel: +1-607-2772211
The author can be contacted directly at the following addresses:
Robert J. Burrowes
P.O. Box 167
North Carlton
Victoria 3054
Australia
Email: burrowes@peg.apc.org
Tel/Fax: +61-3-93873398
