Ways to achieve peace

It was great to read in a recent column of Brenda Looper’s mention of Erica Chenoweth and her book, The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict. Because Arkansas Peace Week 2017 (Sept. 17-23) is here—Sept. 21 being the actual International Day of Peace—Erica’s research on this subject, studying all conflicts since 1900, is noteworthy.

She and her co-author, Maria Stephan, argue that, historically, nonviolent resistance campaigns have been more effective in achieving their goals than violent resistance campaigns. Their study of past conflicts has led them to report that the belief that “violent resistance is the only effective way to win concessions from a repressive adversary simply does not stand up to the evidence. Nonviolent resistance has the strategic edge.” And often with better long-term results. Their study also “rejects the claim that there are some types of states against which only violence will work.” They were not able to discern any such states in their study.

Arkansas Peace Week is the occasion to recognize locally the many organizations that practice and support peaceful, nonviolent practices. It also acknowledges the hundreds of thousands of Arkansans from every walk of life who do the same. Aren’t these the habits that instill justice, lessen violence and build community where everyone is respected? This week is in grateful observance of you! One may find the week’s many events on arkansaspeaceweek.com. I hope you’ll help spread the word. JOHN COFFIN Little Rock