Tuesday, September 28, 2010

How to Overthrow a Dictator - Q & A with Gene Sharp

Theary Seng in Phnom Penh, Dec. 2009. Photo: Roland Neveu

I remember being struck by author and peace activist Gene Sharp of the Albert Einstein Institution a couple of years back upon reading a review of his book "From Dictatorship to Democracy". It is only now--in light of recent events surrounding the conviction in absentia of opposition democracy leader Sam Rainsy and the re-awakening of my own conscience to re-evaluate my duties and responsibilities as a Cambodian, as a human rights advocate, as a human being deeply distraught by the plunge toward an autocracy all-too familiar with all the danger signs reverberating prophetically of a blood-drenched Cambodia not yet in the distant past--that I am reminded of him again and reading his work.

"From Dictatorship to Democracy" is available in its complete updated version at: http://www.aeinstein.org/organizations/org/FDTD.pdf. A Khmer version should be made available soon. The interview of Gene Sharp by The New York Times Magazine gives a telling glimpse into the man and the mission.

- Theary Seng, Phnom Penh, 28 Sept. 2010
. . . . .
Questions for Gene Sharp

Give Peace a Chance

Interview by DAVID WALLIS


Published: November 24, 2002, The New York Times


Q: You're the president of the Albert Einstein Institution, a nonprofit organization that promotes nonviolent struggle. With war in Iraq looming, why has the antiwar movement in America failed to generate much public support?
A: The peace movements, with a few exceptions, focus on what not to do rather than what to do instead. They do not answer the question, What do you do if you have a Saddam Hussein, a Hitler, a Stalin?

Q: What do you do when faced with a Saddam?
A: What would most likely oust Hussein is noncooperation. He and his entourage at the top of the pyramid can't function if the bottom of the pyramid doesn't function.

If soldiers don't obey orders, if communication shorts out, if the transportation system suddenly does not work, then nothing happens after dictators give orders.

Q: Which philosopher or statesman most influenced you?
A: Gandhi, but not ''Mahatma.'' Gandhi as a calculating political operator.

Q: Should George Bush read Gandhi?
A: No. Gandhi did not write systematically. Bush needs to read the political scientist Karl W. Deutsch, who points out the weaknesses of dictatorships and that these weaknesses over time can cause the regime to liberalize or fall apart.

Q: How vital is it to have a charismatic leader like Gandhi leading a nonviolent struggle?
A: You don't need them. If you have one, O.K., but be careful, because charismatic leaders can sometimes take unwise actions. In the 1930-31 struggle for independence from Britain, Gandhi gave away more than he had to. During the Nazi invasion of Norway, teachers refused to join a fascist organization and indoctrinate children. They did not need a saint or prophet. That makes a resistance movement more powerful, because opponents can't halt the resistance just by arresting or killing a few people.

Q: In your book ''From Dictatorship to Democracy,'' you argue that it may ''politically rebound'' against dictators when they violently crack down on dissent. Why did the Tiananmen slaughter fail to bring down the Chinese regime?
A: The students were very close to bringing down the Chinese government, but they had no strategy. When civil servants were throwing money out the window to the students, why not call on those civil servants to go on strike? Why not paralyze the transportation system?

The Tiananmen Square occupation was a symbolic protest. Symbolism is only a help.

You must paralyze the dictatorship.

Q: The Serbian opposition movement used your work as a guide to help topple Slobodan Milosevic. Predict the location of the next popular uprising.
A: It's very close in Iran, where thousands of students have been protesting. I've been asked to supply one of my writings in Farsi. It's also somewhat possible in Belarus.

Q: Is force ever justified? How would you tell the administration to deal with Al Qaeda?
A: They mean well, but there is a lack of deep thought in the administration. When you talk in terms of a ''war on terrorism,'' that teaches the terrorists that they have not been brutal enough.

Q: Do you agree with William Bennett that film and TV violence spurs real-life carnage?
A: Hollywood shares some of the blame for not highlighting the fact that nonviolent struggle can be an equally dramatic alternative to violence. Have we had a film about the Polish Solidarity movement or the Czechoslovak uprisings in 1968 and 1989?

Q: One last bit of advice for the peaceniks?
A: Think. You have to use your head if you want to succeed. If the issue is only how to express yourself, that's irrelevant and selfish. People do not make the distinction between expressing themselves and doing something that can win.

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's what we all need in Cambodia, COORDINATION and STRATEGY!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

To be controled by a group that can be kidnaped by the Viet! If not becarefull!!!

remember Shihanouk in 1975?????

Anonymous said...

Wisdom of the Buddha


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTsb-woP3jI

Anonymous said...

What i heard from my reliable source is that Hun Sen scares of People Power. He had approached some countries the Viet and Lao to grant assylum for his families when this will happen. Two poles close to his home is when the People Power will use to hang him with few of his clans. People Power is gain more momentum right now. They don't want to wait until 2013. It can happen anytime. Khmers are fed up with this puppet regime.

Anonymous said...

Overthrow will never happen. Cambodian people to lazy, unorganized and would prefer to bow down in front of the devil and hope he gives scraps of food. Thats what begging is all about.

Anonymous said...

Cambodian people have a lot of spirit, just disconnected and not coordinated. People Power is in the genes of all human being who desire to be FREE.

For you who want to stay in the jail of poverty, the jail of violence, the jail of CPP leadership, that is your choice.

Anonymous said...

Is Seng Thery single?

Anonymous said...

Seng Theary is still single but has boyfriend. She is so good in smoking cigar.

Anonymous said...

Hey Guys,

Please fool with this Seng Theary's photo. In real life, she is much older and unattractive compare to her picture.

Khmer in USA

Anonymous said...

And what has got to do with her physical look and personal relationship or smoking cigar?
Where is your integrity?

Anonymous said...

Check out her website www.thearyseng.com!

Anonymous said...

I wonder how, and when, (or, if) the people of the USA will ever overthrow the Dictatorship of Capitalism and Wall Street, and start a genuine Democracy?

Sorry, perhaps these are not the questions you want to ask....but they are most necessary for the whole world.

Anonymous said...

Most men are bean and mushroom head. Only few that are like Mr. Gene sharp.

Anonymous said...

Is Seng Thery a narcissist or something?

What's with the picture in every one of her commentaries?

I respect her inteligent, but the glamour photo is just incompatible with the thought provoking commentaries.

I guess some women have the itch to be noticed, physically.

Anonymous said...

some women have an itch to be p----.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely. Try and liberate a country with most bean and mushroom heads. You'll get there alright, but we haven't met a real professional liberator, just yet.

Anonymous said...

9:13Pm how a bout one with black hole on the head?

Anonymous said...

That would be you 9:42pm. Put one on your first.

Anonymous said...

Will the UN re-evaluate the type of people that are sitting at the UN's seat right now?


Mr. Ted Turner your money is probably and mostly at waste.

Jum Teav Virak Dara.... said...

PLEASE DO NOT TRASH MS. THEARY SENG. SHE IS ONE OF THE BRAVE SRY KHMER.

SREY KHMER ARE TOUGH, BEAUTIFUL, INTELLIGENT, AND BRAVE!!

SHE IS WELL EDUCATED AND SHE IS PARTY OF MOVEMENT.

BRAVO MS SENG!

ANY ONE TRASH KHMER WOMAN IN THIS FORUM IS CONSIDER NOT KHMER.

SINCERELY...

jumteave virak dara said...

Jum Teav Virak Dara.... said...

PLEASE DO NOT TRASH MS. THEARY SENG. SHE IS ONE OF THE BRAVE SRY KHMER.

SREY KHMER ARE TOUGH, BEAUTIFUL, INTELLIGENT, AND BRAVE!!

SHE IS WELL EDUCATED AND SHE IS PARTY OF MOVEMENT.

BRAVO MS SENG!

ANY ONE TRASH KHMER WOMAN IN THIS FORUM IS CONSIDER NOT KHMER.

SINCERELY...Loke jum-teave...

Anonymous said...

8:01, we know you can't do much about your looks, but do learn to appreciate beauty even if its in someone else, and its powerful combination with intelligence.

But if your puny mind can only factor one thing at a time, either beauty or intelligence, well there's not much anyone can do about it.

Anonymous said...

Kill him, dictator is not able to change, it's in his gene..

Anonymous said...

People who know how to dress properly tell us, their mental state is sharp and on a bright side. Ms. Theary Seng is no exception. There is no sexaul arousal that would suggest any where in her clothing. Just a plan sharp and well dresser. People have the right to look good. If she wants to walk away a little bit from a traditional clothing. That is fine and nothing wrong with it. It's her full right. Who needs to look at a woman with a forehead that looks like Dracula's head? or letting herself down like bar of soap? You're doing fantastic Theary.

Anonymous said...

who is her boyfriends..what number is he? Younger or older, rich or poor, black or white?...Dang you guys - she can do anything she wants and as she please. Just let her do her job.

KhmerIsrael said...

Wisdom Better Than Folly

I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it. Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. So I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." But the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.

The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.

Wisdom is better than weapons of war,but one sinner destroys much good.

Passage from the bible

KhmerIsrael said...

True meaning of Peace from a Hebrew perspective.

Shalom: True peace comes when you destroy the authority attach to chaos.

Anonymous said...

answer: to give up dictator.educate people to know about what is dictatorship and democracy.

Anonymous said...

You look as good as gold Theary

Anonymous said...

Hell ...
every time articles to do with Seng Theary, her portraits always show up. Don't make me wrong, it is not about the impression, but the notice reflection on her image in those portraits.

they don't look like the activist, but a porno to me. I am damn sure that KI-Media gotta have something with her.

What I am not sure is whether KI-Media trying to promote her as an activist or a porn star.

Come on KI-Media, gotta ball to say something about that?

Anonymous said...

Nop.

Anonymous said...

She is my gorgeous activist :)

Anonymous said...

1:22pm you need to get use to people of 2010. Most intelligent People in free country are like that. They take pride in their look and manner. She is not a pron star. Wishing all Khmer women are like Theary. Intelligent and well dresser.

Anonymous said...

Theary,

Please check out Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden's wardrobe. I think you would really like them. She has your similar taste in clothing. Love

Anonymous said...

Have you ever seen and heard Queen Rania of Jordon? Check out her beauty, intelligence and activism.