Nonviolence in Theory and Practice

This much-anticipated Second Edition adds twenty-three new readings to an already impressive collection of writings by some of the leading theorists and practitioners of nonviolence. Holmes and Gan provide a diversity of articles on both secular and religious origins of nonviolence; articles by or about Gandhi, King, Tolstoy, and Chavez; feminist approaches to nonviolence by contemporary writers; new articles addressing the theory and practice of nonviolence with respect to nature and animal rights; and fresh examples of the application of nonviolence to conflicts in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Tibet. The collection includes the perspectives of those committed to nonviolence as a principle, those committed to nonviolence primarily as a tactic, and those for whom nonviolence is a personal practice. The selections have been arranged to engage those who are new to the philosophy of nonviolence. After an opening section on its origins, the next section focuses on three principal philosophers of nonviolence, followed by an examination of women and nonviolence and a discussion of pacifism. The final sections take a closer look at how nonviolence is implemented, including specific examples drawn from different regions of the world. The breadth and depth of articles promote critical thinking about the nature and efficacy of both violence and nonviolence and allow readers to discover the many ways in which nonviolence can be employed to achieve meaningful objectives.