Dictatorship to Democracy
is to give the instructions for come to grips dictatorships with as few human losses as possible. It also gives the early signs of a new dictatorship or the return to dictatorship. All this, in order to avoid them like the plague for the good of the peoples.
(The “critical mass” to hope to inflect political decisions or bring down a dictatorial regime, would be around 3.5% of the population.
According to the study of Erica Chenoweth, from Harvard University USA. )
Dictatorships, even those that are seemingly invincible, can collapse under the pressure of a determined and mobilized population, often by non-violent means.
Countries like Estonia, Poland and the Philippines have demonstrated this since 1980.
Although dictatorships persist, a trend towards more democracy and freedom is observed, even though many countries remain “unfree”.
Efforts to overthrow dictatorships by military means or coups d’état present serious problems and risks of perpetuating tyranny.
The real solution lies in strengthening popular determination, organizing independent social groups, the creation of strong internal resistance and the development of a strategic plan for liberation.
The ability of peoples to free themselves is essential, as shown by the successes of non-violent resistance.
Some peoples react to dictatorship by submission or conciliation, hoping to save positive elements through negotiations.
However, when faced with fundamental issues such as human freedoms, negotiation is often not a viable solution because it depends on the balance of power.
Dictators, motivated by power and wealth, sometimes use negotiation to weaken the opposition.
Only active resistance, not submission or negotiation, can truly bring down a dictatorship.
Dictatorships, though powerful, are vulnerable and can collapse quickly under the pressure of determined resistance.
To establish a free and peaceful society, you need great motivation and a well thought out strategy.
Dictators depend on the cooperation of the people to maintain their power. Without that cooperation, their power collapses.
The fable of the «Master Monkey» illustrates how awareness and refusal to cooperate can destroy a dictatorship.
The sources of the power of dictators include perceived authority, human and material resources, and the ability to sanction.
Organized resistance and the building of independent institutions can weaken dictatorships, as various historical resistances have shown.
Dictatorships often seem invulnerable, but they have weaknesses comparable to the «Achilles’ heel». These weaknesses include reliance on popular cooperation, administrative rigidity, internal rivalries and misjudgements.
Democratic forces can exploit these weaknesses to weaken the regime. By targeting these vulnerabilities, it is possible to make a dictatorship less effective and more likely to collapse.
There are risks in the fight, but by focusing on weaknesses, chances of success increase.
Armed resistance strengthens dictatorships, while political defiance exploits their weaknesses.
Political defiance avoids the field of violence, mobilizes all the population and can provoke decentralization of power. It uses psychological, social, economic and political means such as strikes, boycotts and the slowdown or slowing of efficiency in work or non-work, to weaken the dictatorships.
Non-violent discipline is crucial, because all violence benefits dictators.
Transparency is generally preferable to secrecy, as it strengthens the resistance movement.
There are four mechanisms for change: conversion, accommodation, non-violent coercion and disintegration.
Non-violent struggle promotes democracy by providing the population with means of resistance against dictatorships.
Strategic planning is essential for the effectiveness of political defiance.
Political campaigns of defiance against dictatorships often start unplanned, triggered by specific injustices. Although spontaneity plays a crucial role, it can lead to brutal reactions of dictatorship and failures.
Strategic planning, based on a realistic analysis of the situation, is essential to effectively mobilize the limited resources of democratic movements. This includes defining a comprehensive strategy, coordinating resources, and developing appropriate tactics and adapted methods.
Without careful planning, actions can fail, thus strengthening the power of dictatorship.
To increase the chances of success, resistance leaders must formulate a clear plan of action, aimed at destroying the dictatorship and establishing a lasting democracy. This requires a precise assessment of the situation, the creation of an overall strategy and specific strategies that follow from it.
It is essential to understand the various aspects of the conflict and to choose appropriate means of struggle, such as political defiance, which promotes a fair redistribution of power.
External assistance can help, but internal resistance is paramount.
Strategies must be widely communicated to motivate the population.
Planning must also include specific campaigns to weaken the dictatorship, while anticipating and neutralizing repression.
The democratic forces must remain focused on their objectives, despite the provocations of dictators.
To mobilize a helpless and frightened population, it is crucial to start with low-risk and constructive actions.
Targeted campaigns, addressing issues that are symbolic of oppression, can create a sense of power among the population.
Initial campaigns must have limited and achievable goals to ensure progressive wins and improve morale.
Selective resistance allows efforts to be shared among different social groups, thus maintaining pressure on the dictatorship while allowing other groups to rest.
Initial symbolic actions, although limited, can prepare the population for more sustained forms of non-cooperation.
As resistance grows, it becomes crucial to reduce support for the dictator, including within military forces, while avoiding precipitated rebellions.
The continuous reassessment of strategies is necessary to adapt to unexpected successes or failures, ensuring a constant progression towards the disintegration of the dictatorship.
Victorious political defiance campaigns gradually weaken the dictatorship by reducing its sources of power, such as cooperation and popular obedience.
Symbolic actions of repudiation undermine the regime’s authority, and widespread non-cooperation paralyses its administrative operations.
The rise of independent institutions and mass defiance can lead to the collapse of dictatorship.
Strategic planning is essential to ensure a democratic transition without leaving room for a new dictatorship.
Historical examples, such as that of Poland, show how an organized resistance can lead to the peaceful disintegration of an authoritarian regime.
Before the collapse of a dictatorship, members of the former regime may attempt to divert the struggle by orchestrating a coup, It claims to overthrow the dictatorship while in reality seeking to introduce a new similar or “renewed” scheme.
In the event of a coup, it is essential to react quickly by non-cooperation and political defiance to avoid the legitimization sought by the putschists.
After the disintegration of a dictatorship, though celebrations are well deserved, vigilance remains crucial to avoid another tyranny.
An orderly transition to democracy must be planned, dismantling the dictatorial structures and establishing solid constitutional foundations.
A new constitution must be clear and accessible, and a democratic defence system must be put in place to protect the freedoms acquired.
Nonviolent struggle strengthens the confidence and autonomy of the oppressed, facilitating the defense of democracy in the long term.
There are three major conclusions:
– The liberation from dictatorial yoke is possible;
– Careful thinking and strategic planning are essential to achieve this; and
– After liberation, it is necessary to remain vigilant, to continue hard work and to remain disciplined in order to ensure the sustainability of democracy.
The freedom gained by a well-organized struggle of this scale can be sustainable. This new and well-deserved freedom can be maintained by a tenacious, vigilant and committed people,
WHILE DEVELOPING IT