What I was trying to do with my article was to reach progressive activists and the people of the United States, not specify what the US government (or other western governments) should do.

Unfortunately, when leaders of the United States government say they support “spreading democracy around the world,” they usually mean “spreading corporate capitalism around the world.” And that usually means undercutting real democracy. For example, in 1973, the US government fostered (initially nonviolent) strikes against the democratic Allende government in Chile in order to undercut its legitimacy and usher in the dictatorial regime of General Pinochet.

I believe that real democracy cannot be spread by military means or by outside governments. Democracy requires that citizens control their society and choose their own government. Outside governments have little role in that. For us (activists) to spread democracy means that we must encourage citizens in other countries to control their society and choose their own governments (oriented towards the common good), and perhaps offer information about how to do it (like this website and workshops offered to progressive activists).

But for those of us in the United States, an even bigger task is for us to get our government to stop propping up and arming dictators in other countries and using the CIA to undermine or overthrow popular (democratic) movements that try to challenge those dictatorships. I’m convinced that if the US stopped supporting oppressive regimes, that a very large number of them would collapse in short order. As I understand it, even President Jimmy Carter’s mild withdrawal of support led many oppressive regimes to falter and allowed democratic forces in many countries to grow.

There may be a case for more direct government intervention in some situations (Rwanda?), but outside intervention of any kind can be destructive. I think criteria as restrictive as those specified by Just War Doctrine should be met before any kind of government intervention is undertaken and it is best done under the auspices of a body like the United Nations.

If the choice is only between the government intervening militarily or nonviolently (as the current political climate in the US seems to dictate), then I’d prefer the nonviolent alternative. But I’d much prefer no government intervention at all.

What do you think?

Maybe it’s because I’m too much this stuff that I found the ending a little bit vague. You say that nonviolent action is a much more effective way of achieving change. But then you go on to say “If we are sincere about spreading democracy around the world, then it makes sense to use the most effective means available, especially means that are consistent with moral values of freedom, justice, compassion, and community.”

I read that as an implication that you think U.S. should have some role in nonviolent conflicts. If that’s what you mean, I’d love to read your thoughts on what exactly you think U.S.’s role should be and would there be any negative consequences associated with Western (or foreign, in general) involvement in other countries’ nonviolent conflicts.

Finally, one may argue that sometimes the threats we face don’t leave us enough time to wait and hope for an uprising. That’s, after all, kind of how neocons made the case against Iraq. So I’d like to hear your thoughts on this, too.

Would you like the opportunity to become a trainer in peacemaking skills and to spread them to your communities?

We are offering a weekend workshop to become a volunteer trainer in Nonviolent Conflict Intervention (NCI) skills on June 6 – 8th in the Boston area. If you are interested, please email Sherry Zitter at sherry@sherryzitter.org to receive an application/registration form.
The Training

In this workshop, you will learn how to teach basic nonviolent conflict intervention methods for use in anyone’s daily life. The training also exposes people to role-play examples of situations faced by local or international unarmed civilian peacekeepers. These proven methods can be used in interpersonal, community and global situations. Please see COMMITMENTS POST-TRAINING below.

Qualifications:
To become a volunteer NCI Trainer, some background as a trainer, teacher, or leader of adult or youth groups is desirable. Comfort in leading role-plays is important although you do not need formal prior experience with leading them. We welcome applicants of all ages and backgrounds. Young people, GLBT, people of color and bilingual/bicultural applicants are especially encouraged to apply.

Costs:
The weekend workshop is offered on a sliding scale from $125 to $35, plus $50 food costs. Partial scholarshps are available.

Location/Lodging:
The workshop will be given at the Walker Center in Newton, Mass. Out-of-town participants may stay there for $65/night including a hot breakfast, or at the homes of chapter members if space still available.

Transportation:
The Walker Center is near Rt. 128 and the Mass Pike. It is close to the MBTA Green line and the Peter Pan/Greyhound bus station.

Schedule:
The course begins Friday June 6th at dinner and ends at 4 pm on Sunday, June 8th. Please expect to pay your own transportation costs to the workshop.

What the training is NOT:

The one-day training does NOT prepare people to join a local peace team, or to become a field team member in a foreign country. Such trainings are far longer and more expensive! It will, however, offer exposure to essential skills and encourage folks to do further training if they wish.

Commitments post-training:

To participate, you are asked to commit to co-lead at least four one-day trainings to groups of your choosing, on behalf of NP.

Ideally, those civic or political groups, colleges, faith groups or other organizations will help you organize and publicize the trainings. Of course we hope you will use and share these skills in many other contexts as well!

As a workshop graduate and volunteer trainer, you will receive ongoing support and mentoring. If there is no existing chapter of USNPCA or NP Canada in your area, we encourage you to form one in order to better support your work.

In order to build a culture of peace, NCI skills need to be spread to every neighborhood until they are as common as reading and writing. As a volunteer NCI trainer, you’ll be a model and a teacher of peacebuilding in your community, and will join the swelling ranks of global peacemakers making a concrete difference!

Finally, if you have an organized group of at least 12 persons who are interested in taking the one-day NCI training, please also write to sherry@sherryzitter.org. We will pass this information on to the new volunteer trainers near you.

In peace,

Judy King and Sherry Zitter
NP Greater Boston Chapter

The trainers
Delia McGrath is a lifelong pacifist and peace activist, who believes passionately in peace and nonviolence. She is a long-time communications and diversity trainer, and a practitioner of NVC (nonviolent communication). She is currently Buddhist Peace Fellowship’s representative to NP as a member organization. She is currently involved in prison ministry as a Buddhist chaplain.
Sherry Zitter has been a peace activist, trainer and social worker for over 25 years. As a trainer, she has a reputation for facilitating lively discussions, challenging role plays and deep listening and learning. She has been involved with NP Greater Boston Chapter since its inception and has led Elise Boulding’s workshops, “Imaging a World with Nonviolent Peaceforces instead of Armies,” nationwide.