Whether or not nonviolence “works” has been debated throughout history. Many societies, undoubtedly including the United States, have primarily resorted to violent tactics. Many people believe that violence is the only way to end wars, even if it creates war, and people tend to believe that violence is the only solution to many political and world problems. However, recent literature and research is beginning to prove otherwise. Erica Chenoweth, a political scientist, recently published a book called Why Civil Resistance Works in 2011. The research highlights data that shows throughout history that nonviolent tactics are more effective than violent tactics in a variety of ways . Chenoweth seeks to explain why “nonviolent resistance often succeeds.” in relation to violent resistance, and under what conditions non-violence succeeds or fails. In recent years, organized groups carrying out civil disobedience have successfully used non-violent tactics such as "boycotts, strikes, demonstrations and organized non-cooperation" to challenge the current power they faced. 1 Some successful examples of regimes that have been in power in recent years are Serbia (2000), Madagascar (2002), Georgia (2003), Ukraine (2004-2005), Lebanon (2005) and Nepal (2006).1 More recently, in 2011, there were major uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia that succeeded in overthrowing regimes in power for decades, demonstrating that nonviolence can work even if the regime is in power. power for years.1 A striking fact of both violent and nonviolent campaigns is that the frequency of both has grown over the years. Both have increased steadily since the 1900s and both experienced a marked decline after 2006. However, the frequency of violent campaigns...... middle of paper ...... can succeed in stripping power from regimes , but there are very few ways for a regime, or even a violent campaign, to take power from a nonviolent movement effectively and without failing in the long run. Works Cited Chenoweth, Erica and Maria J. Stephan. 2011. Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict. New York: Columbia University Press, 2011. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), EBSCOhost (accessed April 22, 2014). Lawrence, Adria, Erica Chenoweth and Affairs Belfer Center for Science and International. 2010. Rethinking Violence: States and Non-State Actors in Conflict. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press, 2010. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), EBSCOhost (accessed April 22, 2014). The success of nonviolent civil resistance: Erica Chenoweth at TEDxBoulder. Video. Produced by TEDTalks. Boulder: 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJSehRlU34w