Michael Nagler, "The Search for a Nonviolent Future"

"The task is to create loving community, and the way to understand and address that is through nonviolence. Whoever we are, there is a way to do this."

"The Search for a Nonviolent Future" provides a very deep exploration of nonviolence and its utility for healing and humanizing our modern and violent world. Michael Nagler, a long-time peace scholar and nonviolent activist, reveals stories, incidents and acts of nonviolence that are both constructive (e.g. community building) and obstructive (i.e. nonviolent resistance) in order to show his audience that while nonviolence may not always "work" to produce immediate or expected results, it always works, having "a long-term positive effect on the whole system." The author conceives nonviolence not as an abstract concept, but as an active agent to produce a paradigm shift to replace nonviolence with our very violent, but altogether man-made, present. Such a big idea would seem daunting if it weren't for the action guide provided for the reader to begin on an individual level. The steps recommended include avoiding mass media and replacing its alternatives, taking "care of yourself spiritually," rebuilding kind human relationships, nonviolence education, and actively building peace. This book provides excellent insight for anyone grappling with various aspects of nonviolence, or doubt its simple but powerful meaning.

Links:
PACS 164A: Introduction to Nonviolence - Fall 2006 (Thank you Mike)

Citation Information:
Nagler, M. N. (2004). The search for a nonviolent future: A promise of peace for ourselves, our families, and our world. Maui, Hawai'i: Inner Ocean Publishing.