Gene Sharp: The 'Clausewitz of Nonviolent Warfare'

Abstract

Gene Sharp, a political scientist best known for his work on nonviolent action, passed away on January 28, 2018. Sharp leaves a lasting impact on academia, practitioners of nonviolent action, and societies who have used his methods to create political and social change. Sharp developed a comprehensive theory of nonviolent action and provided practical guidelines for its implementation. Despite his contribution to the scholarship on nonviolence and his influence on political events around the world, Sharp remains unknown to many. In this paper, we provide a brief biography of Sharp, review the key themes in his research program, and discuss the continuing importance of his work for those concerned with the establishment and maintenance of free societies.

Keywords: Collective Action, Gene Sharp, Nonviolent Action