Ebook: Profound Revolution: Towards an Integrated Understanding of Contemporary Nonviolence

This dissertation studies nonviolence in the context of
Humanistic Studies, a multi-disciplinary academic field that
criticallly explores issues of (existential) meaning and
humanization; the personal and social aspects of 'good living'.
From this background this study focusses on contemporary
nonviolence, using this term not only to point to the absence
of violence, but to that which can take its place. Nonviolence
is thus understood as a substantive method to create societal
and interpersonal change, and even as a paradigm.
The aim of the study is twofold. Firstly to descern if it is
possible to understand nonviolence a concept independent
from specific cultural, religious or practical context. Secondly
to see if from such an independent notion it is possible to
develop a framework for analysis and practice.
The Gandhian understanding of nonviolence is the
startingpoint ot this study. However, many developments in
nonviolence theory and practice have taken place after
Gandhi. This dissertation studies the way Gandhian concepts
have caried over, and are changed and expanded by other
thinkers and practitioners and what remains the same.
From this search it is concluded that five basic elements
form the core of contemporary nonviolence: satya (truthseeking), ahimsa (non-harming), tapasya (self-suffering),
sarvodaya (the welfare of all) and swadeshi/swaraj (relational
autonomy). Together they point to a specific way of wielding
power called integrative power, which lies at the heart of
nonviolence