CIVIL OBEDIENCE TO TYRANTS - WHY

God does not give political power, people provide it! u Psychological Identification with the tyrant v Self-interest ~ Habit } Indifference w Majority doing it

Politically indifferent people are actually those who have succumbed to the tyrants propaganda!

| Fear of sanctions { Superhuman factors

x Moral obligation y Absence of self-confidence

z Helplessness and Hopelessness Obedience is a crucial concept in strategic nonviolent struggle. There are several primary reasons why people obey their rulers, and by understanding why people obey, your movement can more effectively promote shifts in obedience patterns. Obedience primarily derives from a combination of fears and interests. habits, lack of self-confidence, and interests can be changed, and one can address fear and deal with its effects. Habits can be changed through repetition of why they must be changed, and reinforcement for changing them. Lack of self-confidence, as well as indifference, may be converted into dedication and brave actions through the process of motivation and learning that there are realistic alternatives to an oppressive situation. Loyalty to the tyrant based on selfinterest can change into support for your movement when people see that their selfinterest lies in supporting your movement. For example, civil servants have historically switched their support to nonviolent movements once they have understood that their corrupt bosses will be replaced under a new system but that their jobs will not be jeopardized.