The New Yorker Radio Hour Jimmy Kimmel and the Power of Public Pressure
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Sep 30, 2025 In this discussion, Hardy Merriman, a civil resistance expert and former president of the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict, delves into the effectiveness of nonviolent movements against governmental overreach. He emphasizes that large-scale non-cooperation—like protests and boycotts—can shift political dynamics. Merriman also highlights the emerging leadership within movements and critiques how ambient public pressure can impact institutional responses. He underscores the importance of unity and strategic action in the fight for democracy.
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Noncooperation Moves Institutions
- Public pressure combined with non-cooperation can force institutions to reverse authoritarian demands.
- Large numbers changing consumer or attention patterns impose costs that are hard for power to ignore.
Leverage Low-Risk Mass Actions
- Use mass, low-risk actions like subscription cancellations to exert pressure on corporations.
- Coordinate numbers rather than risky acts to create effective resistance.
Movement Metrics Over Headlines
- Movement strength depends on unity, strategic capacity, mass participation, and nonviolence.
- These metrics matter more than daily headlines for assessing resistance effectiveness.