Gene Sharp's 198 Methods of Nonviolent Action

A comprehensive toolkit for civic resistance. These methods, documented in "The Politics of Nonviolent Action" (1973), have been used successfully by movements worldwide.

Why 198 Methods?

Gene Sharp, widely considered the father of nonviolent resistance theory, spent decades studying successful movements across history. He identified 198 distinct tactics that fall into three broad categories: protest and persuasion, noncooperation, and intervention. Understanding this full range of options helps activists choose the right tool for each situation.

The Three Categories

1

Protest & Persuasion

54 methods

Symbolic acts that communicate grievances and mobilize public opinion.

2

Noncooperation

103 methods

Withdrawing participation, obedience, and support from the system.

3

Nonviolent Intervention

41 methods

Direct actions that challenge the status quo through positive engagement.

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Protest & Persuasion Noncooperation Intervention Digital-Era Methods Selecting Methods
1

Nonviolent Protest and Persuasion

54 methods - Symbolic acts expressing opposition or support

These methods communicate grievances and mobilize public opinion. They are often the starting point for movements, building awareness and demonstrating the breadth of opposition.

Formal Statements

1 Public speeches
2 Letters of opposition or support
3 Declarations by organizations
4 Signed public statements
5 Declarations of indictment and intention
6 Group or mass petitions

Communications with a Wider Audience

7 Slogans, caricatures, and symbols
8 Banners, posters, and displayed communications
9 Leaflets and pamphlets
10 Newspapers and journals
11 Records, radio, and television
12 Skywriting and earthwriting

Group Representations

13 Deputations
14 Mock awards
15 Group lobbying
16 Picketing
17 Mock elections

Symbolic Public Acts

18 Display of flags and symbolic colors
19 Wearing of symbols
20 Prayer and worship
21 Delivering symbolic objects
22 Protest disrobings
23 Destruction of own property
24 Symbolic lights (candles, torches)
25 Displays of portraits
26 Paint as protest
27 New signs and names
28 Symbolic sounds
29 Symbolic reclamations
30 Rude gestures

Pressures on Individuals

31 "Haunting" officials
32 Taunting officials
33 Fraternization
34 Vigils

Drama and Music

35 Humorous skits and pranks
36 Performance of plays and music
37 Singing

Processions

38 Marches
39 Parades
40 Religious processions
41 Pilgrimages
42 Motorcades

Honoring the Dead

43 Political mourning
44 Mock funerals
45 Demonstrative funerals
46 Homage at burial places

Public Assemblies

47 Assemblies of protest or support
48 Protest meetings
49 Camouflaged meetings of protest
50 Teach-ins

Withdrawal and Renunciation

51 Walk-outs
52 Silence
53 Renouncing honors
54 Turning one's back
2

Noncooperation

103 methods - Withdrawing participation from the system

Noncooperation withdraws participation, obedience, and support from the system. This is often the most powerful category because it directly challenges the regime's ability to function.

The Power of Noncooperation

No government can function without the cooperation of its citizens. When people systematically withdraw their support—whether through boycotts, strikes, or civil disobedience—they demonstrate that power ultimately flows from the people.

Social Noncooperation

Ostracism of persons and withdrawal from social institutions

55 Social boycott
56 Selective social boycott
57 Lysistratic nonaction
58 Excommunication
59 Interdict
60 Nonattendance at social events
61 Student strike
62 Social disobedience
63 Withdrawal from social institutions
64 Stay-at-home
65 Total personal noncooperation
66 Flight of workers
67 Sanctuary
68 Collective disappearance
69 Protest emigration (hijrat)

Economic Boycotts

Consumer actions, worker/producer actions, and financial actions

Consumer Actions

70 Consumers' boycott
71 Nonconsumption of boycotted goods
72 Policy of austerity
73 Rent withholding
74 Refusal to rent
75 National consumers' boycott
76 International consumers' boycott

Worker/Producer/Middlemen Actions

77 Workmen's boycott
78 Producers' boycott
79 Suppliers' and handlers' boycott
80 Traders' boycott
81 Refusal to let or sell property
82 Lockout
83 Refusal of industrial assistance
84 Merchants' "general strike"

Financial Actions

85 Withdrawal of bank deposits
86 Refusal to pay fees, dues, assessments
87 Refusal to pay debts or interest
88 Severance of funds and credit
89 Revenue refusal
90 Refusal of a government's money

The Strike

Various forms of work stoppage

91 Protest strike
92 Quickie walkout (lightning strike)
93 Peasant strike
94 Farm workers' strike
95 Refusal of impressed labor
96 Prisoners' strike
97 Craft strike
98 Professional strike
99 Establishment strike
100 Industry strike
101 Sympathetic strike
102 Detailed strike
103 Bumper strike
104 Slowdown strike
105 Working-to-rule strike
106 Reporting "sick" (sick-in)
107 Strike by resignation
108 Limited strike
109 Selective strike
110 Generalized strike
111 General strike
112 Economic shutdown

Political Noncooperation

Rejection of authority and civil disobedience

Rejection of Authority

113 Withholding or withdrawal of allegiance
114 Refusal of public support
115 Literature and speeches advocating resistance

Citizens' Noncooperation with Government

116 Boycott of legislative bodies
117 Boycott of elections
118 Boycott of government employment and positions
119 Boycott of government departments, agencies
120 Withdrawal from government educational institutions
121 Boycott of government-supported organizations
122 Refusal of assistance to enforcement agents
123 Removal of own signs and placemarks
124 Refusal to accept appointed officials
125 Refusal to dissolve existing institutions

Citizens' Alternatives to Obedience

126 Reluctant and slow compliance
127 Nonobedience in absence of direct supervision
128 Popular nonobedience
129 Disguised disobedience
130 Refusal of an assemblage or meeting to disperse
131 Sitdown
132 Noncooperation with conscription and deportation
133 Hiding, escape, and false identities
134 Civil disobedience of "illegitimate" laws

Action by Government Personnel

135 Selective refusal of assistance by government aides
136 Blocking of lines of command and information
137 Stalling and obstruction
138 General administrative noncooperation
139 Judicial noncooperation
140 Deliberate inefficiency and selective noncooperation
141 Mutiny

International Governmental Action

142 Changes in diplomatic and other representations
143 Delay and cancellation of diplomatic events
144 Withholding of diplomatic recognition
145 Severance of diplomatic relations
146 Withdrawal from international organizations
147 Refusal of membership in international bodies
148 Expulsion from international organizations
3

Nonviolent Intervention

41 methods - Direct action challenging the status quo

These methods directly challenge the status quo through positive action. They are often the most confrontational and carry higher risks, but can also create the most immediate impact.

Psychological Intervention

149 Self-exposure to the elements
150 The fast (hunger strike)
151 Reverse trial
152 Nonviolent harassment

Physical Intervention

153 Sit-in
154 Stand-in
155 Ride-in
156 Wade-in
157 Mill-in
158 Pray-in
159 Nonviolent raids
160 Nonviolent air raids
161 Nonviolent invasion
162 Nonviolent interjection
163 Nonviolent obstruction
164 Nonviolent occupation

Social Intervention

165 Establishing new social patterns
166 Overloading of facilities
167 Stall-in
168 Speak-in
169 Guerrilla theater
170 Alternative social institutions
171 Alternative communication system

Economic Intervention

172 Reverse strike
173 Stay-in strike
174 Nonviolent land seizure
175 Defiance of blockades
176 Politically motivated counterfeiting
177 Preclusive purchasing
178 Seizure of assets
179 Dumping
180 Selective patronage
181 Alternative markets
182 Alternative transportation systems
183 Alternative economic institutions

Political Intervention

184 Overloading of administrative systems
185 Disclosing identities of secret agents
186 Seeking imprisonment
187 Civil disobedience of "neutral" laws
188 Work-on without collaboration
189 Dual sovereignty and parallel government

Digital-Era Additions

Methods updated for the connected age (2012+)

In 2012, researchers updated Sharp's framework for the digital age. These methods leverage technology and social media to amplify traditional tactics.

190

Trending a hashtag

Coordinated use of hashtags to amplify messages and demonstrate collective action

191

Influence search results

Strategic content creation to shape what people find when searching

192

Livestreaming protests

Real-time broadcasting to document events and deter violence

193

Digital file-sharing

Distribution of banned materials, documents, or information

194

QR code activism

Physical codes linking to resistance information or resources

195

Solidarity check-ins

Location-based check-ins to show support or protect protesters

196

Nonviolent media hijacking

Creative use of platforms to redirect attention to movement messages

197

Social media flash mobs

Rapid coordination of physical gatherings via digital platforms

198

Maptivism

Collaborative mapping to document incidents, resources, or organize

Selecting Appropriate Methods

Not every method is appropriate for every situation. Effective movements choose tactics that match their context, capacity, and strategic goals.

Questions to Consider

1

What is your strategic goal?

Are you trying to raise awareness, build coalition, apply economic pressure, or demonstrate moral authority?

2

What are the risks?

Consider legal consequences, safety concerns, and potential for escalation or repression.

3

What capacity do you have?

Do you have the numbers, resources, training, and organization to execute effectively?

4

How will it be perceived?

Will this tactic build public sympathy or alienate potential supporters?

5

What comes next?

How does this action fit into your broader campaign strategy?

Methods by Movement Stage

Stage Recommended Methods
Early/Building Petitions, public statements, teach-ins, symbolic acts, small marches
Growing Larger marches, boycotts, work-to-rule actions, vigils, lobbying
Peak Mobilization Mass demonstrations, general strikes, occupations, civil disobedience
Consolidation Alternative institutions, parallel governance, ongoing noncooperation

Maintain Nonviolent Discipline

Regardless of which methods you choose, maintaining nonviolent discipline is essential. A single act of violence can undermine an entire campaign. See our guide on What NOT To Do for critical guidance.

Learn More

Key Sources

What NOT To Do

Critical guidance on avoiding escalation triggers and maintaining discipline

Peaceful Assembly

Your rights to protest and how to exercise them safely