Paths to social change: Conventional politics, violence and nonviolence

Abstract

Social change occurs through three primary frameworks: conventional politics, violence, and nonviolent action. These methods are evaluated based on their historical success rates, levels of popular participation, compatibility between means and ends, and the degree of human suffering they generate or mitigate. Within conventional politics, authoritarian systems consistently underperform across all metrics, while representative systems show greater capacity for self-correction despite significant limitations. Although evidence for participatory systems is less extensive, they appear to offer substantial benefits for social transformation. Among non-conventional approaches, nonviolent action—comprising methods such as boycotts, strikes, and constructive programs—proves superior to violent struggle in nearly every category. The boundaries between these categories are fluid and context-dependent; actions considered routine in representative democracies may constitute radical nonviolent resistance under authoritarian rule. Ultimately, nonviolence functions both as a pragmatic strategy for political efficacy and as a philosophical framework for minimizing systemic harm and fostering community resilience. – AI-generated abstract.