Upcoming Event: Secessionism, Violence and Nonviolence

Dr. Kathleen Cunningham, Department of Government and Politics, University of Maryland College Park 

Secessionism, Violence and Nonviolence 

February 15th, 2017, Special Events Room, McKeldin Library, University of Maryland, College Park 

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Abstract: The power of mass nonviolent campaigns in achieving regime change and democratization has captured global attention. Yet, mass nonviolent campaigns are both uncommon and relatively unsuccessful for secessionist and autonomist movements. These movements continue to be a central issue for opposition mobilization around the world. To evaluate the efficacy of nonviolence, we must both examine success more broadly than maximal goals and move beyond mass uses of nonviolence to look at the myriad of nonviolent actions that are employed in everyday dissent. Small-scale nonviolent resistance will be a particularly effective strategy for secessionist and autonomist movements because they must develop and sustain legitimacy within their constituent population, host state, and international community to achieve both incremental concessions and successful secession (though this maximal outcome is often extremely unlikely).

To find out more about the event and to RSVP visit the website of the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace.

Photo Credit: Lori Evelyn Allan

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