4 ms·
You must also realize that while Gandhi did not use direct violence he did use the threat of violence as a bargaining tool. The British realized the choice was
by yardie 16y ago
You must also realize that while Gandhi did not use direct violence he did use the threat of violence as a bargaining tool. The British realized the choice was to either work with him or end up confronting more radical fringe groups that weren't opposed to terrorism.
The antithesis to this was the battle of Algeria. The french ratcheted up the level of suppression to protests to such a degree that they won the battle and lost the country, violently.
- jacquesm 16y agoThreats are most effective when you don't actually execute them but you show that you have the ability and the will to execute them.
- cema 16y agoGandhi was dealing with the British, who were relatively benevolent at the time. Egyptians (and other Arab peoples) are dealing with local despots, who are desperate.
- hugh3 16y agoPrecisely. Nonviolence as a strategy only works when you're dealing with someone who has ethical qualms about, y'know, just killing you. It has worked maybe two or three times in history.