Director, Environmental Studies
Professor of English

ES 375: Ecosocial Advocacy

RULES, CODES, AND STEPS IN A SATYAGRAHA CAMPAIGN

 Conquest of Violence: The Gandhian Philosophy of Conflict. New revised edition.
Joan V. Bondurant
Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1988 (1958). 38-41.

Fundamental Rules Governing a Campaign

1. Self-reliance at all times.

2. Initiative in the hands of the satyagrahis.

3. Propagation of the objectives, strategy and tactics of the campaign.

4. Reduction of demands to a minimum consistent with truth.

5. Progressive advancement of the movement.

6. Examination of weaknesses within the satyagraha group.

7. Persistent search for avenues of cooperation with the adversary on honorable terms.

8. Refusal to surrender essentials in negotiation.

9. Insistence upon full agreement on fundamentals before accepting a settlement.

Code of Discipline

1. Harbor no anger, but suffer the anger of the opponent.

2. Do not submit to any order given in anger, even though severe punishment is threatened for disobeying.

3. Refrain from insults and swearing.

4. Protect opponents from insult or attack, even at the risk of life.

5. Do not resist arrest nor the attachment of property, unless holding property as a trustee.

6. Refuse to surrender any property held in trust at the risk of life.

7. If taken prisoner, behave in an exemplary manner.

8. As a member of the satyagraha unit, obey the orders of satyagraha leaders, and resign from the unit in the event of serious disagreement.

Steps in a Satyagraha Campaign

1. Negotiation and arbitration

2. Preparation of the group for direct action.

3. Agitation.

4. Issuing of an ultimatum.

5. Economic boycott and forms of strike.

6. Non-cooperation.

7. Civil disobedience.

8. Usurping of the function of government.

9. Parallel government.

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