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The Emergence of a Nonviolent Society in Czechoslovakia 1989

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The Emergence of a Nonviolent Society in Czechoslovakia 1989 RUNNING HEAD: NONVIOLENCE IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA 1989 1 The emergence of a nonviolent society in Czechoslovakia 1989 Nonviolent struggle and methods of the Velvet revolution Iva Yankova Culture, Communication & Globalization Master thesis 10th Semester Aalborg University NONVIOLENCE IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA 1989 2 Table of content Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 5 Methodology ................................................................................................................................... 6 Outline of the research project .................................................................................................... 7 Main positions adopted in the research paper ............................................................................. 8 Relationship to theory ................................................................................................. 8 Epistemology .............................................................................................................. 9 Ontology ................................................................................................................... 10 Discussion ..................................................................................................................11 Research design ......................................................................................................................... 11 Specific methods ....................................................................................................................... 13 Data collection........................................................................................................................... 16 Discussion and limitations ........................................................................................................ 17 Theoretical framework .................................................................................................................. 18 Defining non-violent theory ...................................................................................................... 18 Gandhi's nonviolence – planted in the human nature ................................................................ 19 The nonviolence, conflict and state in Gandhi’s perception ..................................... 19 Gandhi’s ideas for nonviolent struggle ..................................................................... 20 Richard B. Gregg theory of nonviolence .................................................................................. 25 Gene Sharp’s approach to the theory of nonviolence ............................................................... 29 Instrumental value of the nonviolence – “imperfect tool for imperfect people” ...... 30 Methods..................................................................................................................... 36 Definitions and Clarifications ....................................................................................................... 40 Explanation of terms used in the paper ..................................................................................... 40 Revolution ................................................................................................................. 40 NONVIOLENCE IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA 1989 3 Regime ...................................................................................................................... 41 Legitimacy of the state and external events .............................................................. 43 Clarifications ............................................................................................................. 44 Historical background ................................................................................................................... 44 Prague Spring – the development of nonviolent system ........................................................... 45 Nonviolent tactics in 1968 ........................................................................................ 48 The appearance of the nonviolent society ................................................................................. 52 The underground culture in Czechoslovakia ............................................................ 52 Samizdat phenomena................................................................................................................. 57 More for Charter 77................................................................................................................... 59 The power of the powerless ...................................................................................................... 60 Train of events in 1989.............................................................................................................. 61 Analysis......................................................................................................................................... 64 Side-comparison case – Poland .................................................................................................... 65 External factors ......................................................................................................................... 65 The exchange............................................................................................................................. 66 The style .................................................................................................................................... 69 The repertories........................................................................................................................... 74 Components of the nonviolent struggle .................................................................................... 79 The moral nonviolence - Gandhi’s nonviolent ideology ........................................................... 80 Czechoslovak society and Gandhi ............................................................................ 80 Ideals ......................................................................................................................... 85 Gregg’s approach to nonviolent theory ..................................................................................... 89 Sharp’s methods of pragmatic nonviolence .............................................................................. 93 Ideas .......................................................................................................................... 93 Concrete methods...................................................................................................... 95 NONVIOLENCE IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA 1989 4 Protest and persuasion............................................................................................... 95 Noncooperation ....................................................................................................... 100 Intervention ............................................................................................................. 102 Self-developed methods .......................................................................................................... 104 Concrete methods.................................................................................................... 106 Conclusions ................................................................................................................................. 107 References: .................................................................................................................................. 111 Appendix ..................................................................................................................................... 117 Interview with Peter Larson (A).............................................................................................. 117 Personal profile ........................................................................................................117 Interview ..................................................................................................................118 Interview with Michal Kopecek (B) ........................................................................................ 126 Personal profile ....................................................................................................... 126 Interview ................................................................................................................. 127 Interview with Milan Smid (C) ............................................................................................... 142 Personal profile ....................................................................................................... 142 Interview ................................................................................................................. 143 Interview with Miroslav Vanek and Pavel Mucke (D) ........................................................... 151 Personal profile ....................................................................................................... 151 Interview ................................................................................................................. 152 Interview with Padraic Kenney (E) ......................................................................................... 156 Personal profile ......................................................................................................
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