Theorizing about War: Theorizing Resistance

Sharp defines social power as the capacity to control the behavior of others, directly or indirectly, through action by groups of people, which action impinges on other groups of people. He also defines Political power as a kind of social power which is wielded for political objectives, especially by governmental institutions or by people in opposition to or in support of such institutions. I want to make a strong reference to World War II and the oppression of groups by a political entity.

Before I analyze the two successful protests, I wanted to examine one of Sharp's examples of "Why Men Obey", because I feel strongly that this is one of the main influences in Nazi Germany, and other dictatorships throughout history. The Psychological identification with the ruler, Sharp's 6th point on p. 23, is the idea that subjects of that nation or region have a strong emotional identification with the ruler or regime at that time. This idea is enhanced when common beliefs or a "sense of purpose" have broken down, and people need something to look to for purpose and direction in their lives. After World War I, Germany was broken and split as well as their economy in shambles. Hitler was the exact "ruler" that the citizens were looking for. He gave them something to believe in, but more importantly, blame for their problems. This idea unified a large percentage of Germany at the time which inherently led to the extermination of the Jews.

Sharp brings in two excellent examples of performing successful nonviolent protests against a regime that has no moral values towards them whatsoever. The first example Sharp brings in is the Norwegian dictator Quisling enacting a "corporation state" in which teachers were to teach fascist ideals to the children; in order to establish a "fascist youth". The teachers protested, nonviolently, and formed mass petitions to be sent to the governmental office. As many teachers were tortured, sent to concentration camps, and even killed, the protesters still retained a nonviolent stance against their government. Without a large population in society supporting the government, there truly would be no government to support. The protesters successfully won their nonviolent battle and the teachers were returned to their homes and began teaching their normal curriculum.

The example of Berlin's protests of 1943 was brought to the table. Jewish men were rounded up and sent away to concentration camps, while their non-Jewish wives were not arrested. The next day, about 6,000 wives assembled at their husband's detention camps and protested their release, nonviolently. After days and hours of protesting their release, the Nazi government was forced to release the Jewish men of this camp. The sole idea that Nazi officials release Jewish prisoners back into the public to live their lives is a extremely significant event, especially this being in the midst of war. The women of Berlin won a tremendous battle against a fascist regime by demonstrating that they were not afraid to protest against the government's beliefs. These nonviolent actions seem to be much stronger than the Nazi government itself at this time.