Revolution.Social How to Overthrow Dictators Without Violence (with Srđa Popović)
Nov 6, 2025
Srđa Popović, a key figure in the movement that toppled Slobodan Milošević, shares his insights from the nonviolent revolution and his work with CANVAS to empower activists globally. He argues that mere viral videos won't suffice for change, emphasizing the necessity of strategic planning and coalition-building. Srđa highlights the power of humor in activism and discusses modern authoritarian tactics that exploit apathy. He also offers creative protest strategies, including playful tactics that disrupt oppressive narratives and engage communities.
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Strategy Beats Viral Outrage
- Effective movements require vision, strategy, and mapping the battleground, not just protests or viral moments.
- Successful campaigns build unity, plan backwards from the goal, and target institutions (pillars) to increase the cost of the status quo.
Plan Backwards And Target Pillars
- Do distinguish strategy from tactics and plan backwards from your ultimate goal to concrete actions.
- Do map pillars of support and choose tactics that raise the cost of the status quo for those pillars.
Montgomery Boycott As Structural Targeting
- Srđa retells the Montgomery Boycott context and Jim Lawson's tactical choices that targeted bus owners and malls.
- The boycott hit companies economically to force political change via business pressure on officials.
