Resistance as a Non-Violent Action

When a conflict arises it is met with an answer, generally a means of combat; whether it is traditional warfare, chemical warfare, or a simple fight on the street. However when people think of combat they think about answers like the previous, as opposed to other more modern approaches. I as well as Gene Sharp, believe that non-violence is a means of combat just as war is.
When the words non-violence are spoken, people think of things such as simple verbal persuasion, peaceful institutional procedures backed by sanctions or peaceful negotiations.(Sharp pg. 66) However non-violent action is a far cry from these lesser acts of non-violence. As Sharp points out, non-violent action is just that "action." This is where the aspect of using non-violece as a strategy or tacitc comes into play. When organizing non-violent action, there is just as much work as organizing war, the people have to be dedicated and make sacrifices just as those who would fight in a traditional war. It takes numbers just like fighting versions of combat, it allows for innovation and calls for protest, noncooperation as well as intervention. However the difference is that it has the potential and generally does save many lives, and as most people will agree the value of a life is rarely surpassed by anything.
One particular method of non-violent action is that of resistance. As shown in the film that we viewed Thursday in class, resistance can not only produce results but it can also lead to a success that costs much less than the alternative violent actions. Resistance is a process that takes much coordination and organizational efforts. This is what intices me to say that resistance is a strategy. Although some people like Walter Wink will view non-violence as a tool that is weilded by the weak, while others including Sharp will argue that this strategic move is one that is chosen conciously and by the strong in an opportune moment. Resistance is just one of the many non-violent actions that can be employed as a tactic when faced with conflict, however the important part is that it is a tactic and not a way of life, but a way to perserve the life that is already present.