Gene Sharp Quotes

"Dictators require the assistance of the people they rule, without which they cannot secure and maintain the sources of political power.”

“No outside force is coming to give oppressed people the freedom they so much want. People will have to learn how to take that freedom themselves.”

"Dictators require the assistance of the people they rule, without which they cannot secure and maintain the sources
of political power."

"All governments rely on cooperation and obedience for their very existence. When people choose to withhold or withdraw that cooperation, governments are left without any pillars to support their weight."

"All governments rely on cooperation and obedience for their very existence. When people choose to withhold or withdraw that cooperation, governments are left without any pillars to support their weight."

"All governments rely on cooperation and obedience for their very existence. When people choose to withhold or withdraw that cooperation, governments are left without any pillars to support their weight."

"Full cooperation, obedience, and support will increase the availability of the needed sources of power and, consequently, expand the power capacity of any government."

"Dictators require the assistance of the people they rule, without which they cannot secure and maintain the sources
of political power.”

“No outside force is coming to give oppressed people the freedom they so much want. People will have to learn how to take that freedom themselves.”

“No outside force is coming to give oppressed people the freedom they so much want. People will have to learn how to take that freedom themselves.”

"All governments rely on cooperation and obedience for their very existence. When people choose to withhold or withdraw that cooperation, governments are left without any pillars to support their weight."

YouTube video by genesharpfilm Gene Sharp 1987 interview

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cNf...

“No outside force is coming to give oppressed people the freedom they so much want. People will have to learn how to take that freedom themselves.”

"It is our contention, that political defiance, or nonviolent struggle, is the most powerful means available to those struggling for freedom"

"It is our contention, that political defiance, or nonviolent struggle, is the most powerful means available to those struggling for freedom"

“No outside force is coming to give oppressed people the freedom they so much want. People will have to learn how to take that freedom themselves.”

“No outside force is coming to give oppressed people the freedom they so much want. People will have to learn how to take that freedom themselves.”

“No outside force is coming to give oppressed people the freedom they so much want. People will have to learn how to take that freedom themselves.”

"The dictators almost always have superiority in military hardware, ammunition, transportation, and the size of military forces. Despite bravery, the democrats are (almost always) no match."

"However long or briefly these democrats can continue, eventually the harsh military realities usually become inescapable."

"Whatever the merits of the violent option, however, one point is clear. By placing confidence in violent means, one has chosen the very type of struggle with which the oppressors nearly always have superiority. The dictators are equipped to apply violence overwhelmingly."

"On the other hand, withdrawal of popular and institutional cooperation with aggressors and dictators diminishes, and may sever, the availability of the sources of power on which all rulers depend.
Without availability of those sources, the rulers’ power weakens and finally dissolves."
10/10

"Full cooperation, obedience, and support will increase the availability of the needed sources of power and, consequently, expand the power capacity of any government."
9/10

"All of these sources, however, depend on acceptance of the regime, on the submission and obedience of the population, and on the cooperation of innumerable people and the many institutions of the society. These are not guaranteed."
8/10

"Sanctions: punishments, threatened or applied, against the disobedient and non-cooperative to ensure the submission and cooperation that are needed for the regime to exist and carry out its policies."
7/10

"Material resources: the degree to which the rulers control or have access to property, natural resources, financial resources, the economic system, and means of communication and transportation"
6/10

"Intangible factors: psychological and ideological factors that may induce people to obey and assist the rulers;"
5/10

"Skills and knowledge: needed by the regime to perform specific actions and supplied by the cooperating persons and groups;"
4/10

"Human resources: the number and importance of the persons and groups which are obeying, cooperating, or providing assistance to the rulers"
3/10

"Authority: the belief among the people that the regime is legitimate, and that they have a moral duty to obey it;"
2/10