Nonviolent Action During Democratic Transitions

Abstract

In recent years, nonviolent campaigns for democracy have won major victories against violent autocracies across the globe. But after those initial victories are won, peaceful activists face a deceptively difficult question: What happens next? Transitional periods come with their own series of challenges, including drop-offs in popular mobilization, opposition fragmentation, political violence and elite-led counterrevolutions. These challenges are by no means insurmountable — but if left unaddressed, they can undermine progress and ultimately reverse promising transitions to democracy.

Jonathan Pinckney

Assistant Professor

My research interests include civil resistance, democratization, and peacebuilding.