[Crossover posted to all the major subs because it’s that important]
Blueprint for Revolution: How to Use Rice Pudding, Lego Men, and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities, Overthrow Dictators, or Simply Change the World.
It was written by Srdja Popovic, one of the leaders of the “Otpor!” movement in Serbia that overthrew the dictator Slobodan Milosevic in the year 2000. He’s gone on to start CANVAS, a non-profit which has helped people across the world overthrow their dictators and unjust power structures.
Why you should read this book:
- It’s all about practical and no-nonsense strategies for successful, NON-VIOLENT change. (Non-violence being the statistically more successful form of Revolution, as well as being, obviously, more humane)
- Again, it’s extremely practical, and discusses strategies for things like: undermining the perceived power of the dictator or power structure (using things like humor, branding, etc.), pressing that advantage, turning the weapons of the Powerful against them, maintaining the unity of your movement, how to actually plan and execute what you are trying to accomplish, etc.
- The book is funny, well-written, and inspiring, but not because of any “kumbaya and rainbows” thinking. Srdja Popovic has been through a lot. He’s seen a lot. And these strategies have been field tested again and again.
- He’s honest about the many ways in which a Revolution can fail, and what you can do to try to prevent it. He’s honest that it’s a lot of hard work.
Frankly speaking, I didn’t think real change was even possible before I read this. I was full to the brim with doomerism. But now I feel that if just a few thousand more people read this book, we might actually have a shot. Just a few thousand.
So here’s my call to action. Just read this book. Please, just read it. I promise that after you’re done, you’ll have a very different idea of what is possible from our future.
(PS used an alt for this cause it’s a touchy subject)