Civil Action and the Dynamics of Violence

Many view civil wars as violent contests between armed combatants. But history shows that community groups businesses NGOs local governments and even armed groups can respond to war by engaging in civil action. Characterized by a reluctance to resort to violence and a willingness to show enough respect to engage with others civil action can slow delay or prevent violent escalations. This volume explores how people in conflict environments engage in civil action and the ways such action has affected violence dynamics in Syria Peru Kenya Northern Ireland Mexico Bosnia Afghanistan Spain and Colombia. These cases highlight the critical and often neglected role that civil action plays in conflicts around the world.