Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Book: From Dictatorship to Democracy

In (pdf) From Dictatorship to Democracy (fourth edition, 2010, 102 pages), Gene Sharp analyzes the nature of dictatorships and ways to transition to democracy. Gene suggests non-violent protest, which I concur with. He shows the complexities and difficulties on the way. My main objection with his steps to democracy is that it requires a detailed strategic plan at the outset. I don't think that's possible, at least not in the beginning. Maybe after a couple years of struggle, making mistakes and surviving long enough to learn from them... I highly recommend this book. To better understand what a struggle and its hardships look like, read Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter from a Birmingham Jail.