Toward a Living Revolution
A Five-Stage Framework for Creating Radical Social Change
by George Lakey
Imprint: Wipf and Stock
The Arab Awakening and other nonviolent insurrections have often failed to produce lasting democratic change. A believer in empowerment, Lakey proposes a stage-by-stage developmental framework to get better, more transformational results. Still incorporating the nonviolent coercive force that has brought down dictators, Lakey uses historical "best practices" from movements to show how people can grow a revolution that roots itself even while it confronts.
The five stages begin with consciousness change, lifting an intersectional vision that inspires and provides the basis for a critical mass to join the movement as it pushes through each developmental stage. Lakey shows how to reconcile pre-figurative alternative institutions with confrontive direct action teams, making the most of inherent synergistic potentials.
With actual stories from confrontation with violent authorities he describes what works best for unifying and building the movement to the point where it can carry out the mass noncooperation that opens a power vacuum. Earlier democratic organizing structures--growing as the strategy unfolds--can then fill the vacuum. This stage prevents a relapse into the old oppression and defends the new society against counterrevolutionary forces.
Although focused on how each society can realize its own revolution, this book acknowledges the context of global power and proposes a vision for transformed world institutions that are on the side of peace and justice. The principles in the book have particular application in the climate crisis humanity now faces, which is why the book describes a living revolution.
George Lakey has participated in some of the major social movements of his time: civil rights, peace, economic justice, liberation for women and sexual minorities, and climate justice. He was first arrested for a civil rights sit-in and wrote a book widely used by that movement. While picketing and organizing groups and coalitions, his reflection on the art of change led to teaching at major universities and nine books. He has led more than fifteen hundred workshops on five continents for groups including coal miners, steelworkers, students, Buddhist monks, anarchists, homeless people, and psychologists. He cofounded Movement for a New Society, Training for Change and Earth Quaker Action Team, and writes the “Living Revolution” column for WagingNonviolence.org.
“While many revolutionary ideologies from the past century have fallen into disrepute, George Lakey’s Living Revolution has stood the test of time. As movements worldwide are increasingly recognizing the need for radical change through nonviolent means and inclusive organization, his far-sighted analysis, vision, and strategy is more relevant than ever.”
—Stephen Zunes, Professor of Politics, University of San Francisco.
“It is in confident action, no matter how small the step, that we break through feelings of futility and begin to experience our power. For that we need both long-term vision and practical guidelines. Because this book combines both, and creativity, we can find in it an antidote to despair.”
—Joanna Macy, environmental activist, Buddhist scholar, author of Stories of the Great Turning
“The biggest mistake made by individuals and groups seeking change is the failure to choose tactics carefully and plan a realistic strategy. Too many times they expect quick change with little effort. This book gives a clear understanding of nonviolence as an effective means for developing a mass movement for change and leaves no doubt about the hard work required to bring it about.”
—Cesar Chavez, founder (deceased), United Farm Workers Union.
“This book is written with the wisdom of an elder who hasn't stopped fighting even to this day, and yet is still humble enough to invite the new generation of movements into leadership. He offers vital frameworks, not rules or slogans, and mentorship for this time of crisis and opportunity.”
—Yotam Marom, founder of the Wildfire Project; activist, writer, and musician
“I find while training groups across the U.S. fighting for racial or economic or climate justice that people are hungry for the ‘how’: what’s the process for system change? This book is potent food for their hunger. Its framework shows how their work can relate to larger societal forces to yield nonviolent, radical change. It could not be more timely.”
—Erika Thorne, Training Elder, Training for Change
“This is for everyone who wants powerful tools to move our nation away from addiction to militarism, war and ecological destruction. Lakey outlines alternative, nonviolent means to achieve security. And what’s more, his strategic framework enables us to sustain resistance while building community and living the revolution!”
—David Hartsough, director of Peaceworkers; cofounder of World Beyond War and Nonviolent Peaceforce
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