Pod Save America The 3.5% Protest Rule That Could Bring Down Trump
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Jun 15, 2025 
In this discussion, Harvard political scientist Erica Chenoweth, renowned for her research on civil resistance, dives into the transformative power of the '3.5% rule.' She explains how mobilizing just 3.5% of the population can effectively challenge authoritarian leaders like Trump. Chenoweth discusses the importance of nonviolence in protests and the historical lessons from the civil rights movement, emphasizing unity and strategic organization. With rising protest activity, she explores innovative methods for grassroots activism, urging listeners to engage in collective action.
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3.5% Rule for Nonviolent Success
- No authoritarian regime survives sustained nonviolent protest by at least 3.5% of the population.
- Nonviolent movements are more inclusive and successful at mobilizing mass participation than violent ones.
Why Nonviolence Beats Armed Conflict
- Nonviolent movements succeed by building large, broad coalitions that cause defections from regime supporters.
- Large protests also cause repression attempts to backfire and enable powerful tactics like general strikes.
Stay Disciplined and Control Narrative
- Maintain organizational and narrative discipline to control the movement's story and tactics.
- Avoid debates on violence that distract from goals; focus on exposing state violence instead.
