Thus, nonviolence is a series of acts of choosing life rather than injury or death - whether physical, psychological, social or cultural. Habitual nonviolent will of the people to resist an armed intervention from outside prevented such an intervention from happening. Starting from examples such as these, it remains for us to analyze the means adopted, in conditions which allowed them to succeed, and the possibility of improving them and extending their influence. What happened relatively spontaneously must now become the product of careful preparation. So it is that nonviolent defense will no longer be a dream but a meaningful formation process based on experience and good practice.
Nonviolent action brings the power of love into play in the arena of conflict.
Nonviolent action uses only means that promote the well being of all parties to the conflict. Those who act nonviolently seek to overcome enmity rather than to impose their own will on their adversaries. To the extent that nonviolent action succeeds in any given instance, it changes the situation itself from one of dominance and submission to a state of mutual respect for human rights and active concern for the genuine need of all parties to the conflict. As Gandhi pointed out, nonviolent action seeks to overcome the enemy, and make the enemy a friend. Paul Lansu is a political activist connected with Pax Christi International in Brussels, Belgium.