The Force of Nonviolence

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Situating non-violence at the intersection of ethics and politics, this work highlights the ethical dilemmas that arise in the context of violence. Non-violence is often misinterpreted as a passive stance or an individualistic ethic disconnected from power dynamics. The author advocates for a more assertive form of non-violence that grapples with internal conflicts while striving for ideals of inter-dependency and equality. By critiquing individualism, the ethical and political dimensions of non-violence can be better understood alongside the principles of equality and the need for grievability. Drawing on the insights of Foucault, Fanon, Freud, and Benjamin, the text argues that opposing violence today necessitates an awareness of its various forms, including how society regulates the grievability of lives. It examines how "racial and demographic phantasms" influence state violence and the neglect of marginalized lives, leading to systemic "letting die." The pursuit of non-violence is framed within resistance movements that redirect aggression towards constructive ends, ultimately affirming the potential for radical egalitarian politics.