Non-Violence and Politics (Bachelor Year 3 / Fall)

Since their emergence on the political scene, nonviolence theory and practice have entertained close links with politics. They have been at the heart of key 20th century phenomena ranging from decolonization and the collapse of dictatorial regimes to large-scale reforms in democratic regimes. In recent years, they have been seen in Algeria, Sudan, Hong-Kong, Belarus and in Climate Change protests worldwide. Over recent years, protests have increased repression and extreme violence. Nevertheless, non-violence remains little studied in political science and rarely taught at French universities. This course provides an opportunity to study some key texts on nonviolence to grasp the axioms on which nonviolent political action is based. Theoretical insights are discussed and confronted with reality through case studies to better grasp the potential, limits and ethics of nonviolent political engagement.
Session I: Course introduction: defining non-violence
Session II: Anthropology and core principles of non-violence
Session III: Fear and Courage
Session IV: Means and Ends
Session V: Power and leadership
Session VI: Non-violence and the collapse of authoritarian regimes
Session VII: The limits of non-violence
Session VIII: Transitional justice
Session IX: Forgiveness and reconciliation