Nonviolent Collective Action in Democratic Development

Civil Society and Civic Action
Written By Matt Baker

Source: USAID | Year: 2024

This approximately 50-page USAID primer provides a strategic and practical guide to understanding and supporting nonviolent collective action as a core component of democratic development. Designed for use by USAID staff, implementing partners, and democracy practitioners, the document:

  • Clarifies key concepts including social movements, nonviolent campaigns, and civil resistance, emphasizing their significance in democratic transitions. It references empirical evidence that nonviolent movements are more than twice as likely to succeed as violent ones.

  • Analyzes the evolving civic landscape, noting how authoritarian regimes are increasingly using disinformation, surveillance, and restrictive laws to suppress civic space, while digital tools simultaneously enhance opportunities for citizen organizing.

  • Presents five actionable donor recommendations, highlighting the need for flexible and responsive funding, coordination among donors, investment in grassroots leadership, and context-sensitive engagement to avoid unintentional harm or co-optation of movements.

  • Frames nonviolent collective action as a vital democratic strategy, effective across local, national, and global levels to achieve inclusive governance, public accountability, and resilient institutions.

Grounded in academic research and real-world practice, this primer serves as a foundational resource to inform DRG programming and donor strategies for engaging with civic movements around the world.

Missing Resource Form

See something missing? Want to add a missing resource? Fill out the form below. Thank you in advance.

Matt Baker
Next

The 5Rs Framework in the Program Cycle