People
in many countries have experienced decades or even centuries of oppression,
whether of domestic or foreign origin. Frequently, unquestioning submission to
authority figures and rulers has been long inculcated. In extreme cases, the social,
political, economic, and even religious institutions of the society – outside of
state control – have been deliberately weakened, subordinated, or even replaced
by new regimented institutions used by the state or ruling party to control the
society. The population has often been atomized (turned into a mass of isolated
individuals) unable to work together to achieve freedom, to confide in each
other, or even to do much of anything at their own initiative.
The
result is predictable: the population becomes weak, lacks self-confidence, and
is incapable of resistance. People often are too frightened to share their
hatred of the dictatorship and their hunger for freedom even with family and
friends. People are often too terrified to think seriously of public
resistance. In any case, what would be the use? Instead, they face suffering
without purpose and a future without hope.
Gene Sharp (2012) “From
Dictatorship to Democracy: A conceptual framework for liberation.” London:
Serpent’s Tail, p.5. (First
published in 1993)
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