Skip to main content

THIS IS AN UPRISING By Mark and Paul Engler

This Is an Uprising

By Mark and Paul Engler

Core Thesis

The book argues that nonviolent movements can be systematically studied, strategically planned, and effectively executed - they're not just spontaneous eruptions but can follow predictable patterns of success.

Key Frameworks to Focus On

1. Structure vs. Momentum-Driven Organizing

  • Structure: Traditional organizing focusing on building institutions
  • Momentum: Dramatic protests creating peak moments of public attention
  • Key Insight: Most successful movements combine both approaches

2. The Civil Rights Movement's Hybrid Model

  • Mixed dramatic protests with institutional building
  • Created crisis moments to force change
  • Built sustainable organizations for long-term impact
  • Application: Study chapters 2 and 7 for this framework

3. Four Roles of Social Movements

  1. The Reformer: Works within system
  2. The Rebel: Creates direct confrontation
  3. The Citizen: Supports change through mainstream channels
  4. The Change Agent: Organizes alternatives
  • Key Point: Successful movements need all four roles

Essential Concepts (Focus on These)

1. Strategic Nonviolence

  • Not just moral choice but strategic advantage
  • Creates wider participation
  • Harder for opponents to discredit
  • More likely to cause defections from power structure

2. Momentum-Driven Organizing

  • Creates rebellious moments
  • Escalates strategically
  • Builds mass participation
  • Uses symbolic protests effectively

3. The Pillars of Support

  • Power depends on institutional support
  • Identify key institutions maintaining status quo
  • Work to shift these institutions
  • Create pressure points for change

4. Cycles of Movement

  1. Movement Emergence
    • Grievance identification
    • Early organizing
    • Building networks
  2. Movement Growth
    • Trigger events
    • Rapid mobilization
    • Peak moments
  3. Movement Maintenance
    • Institutionalization
    • Long-term organizing
    • Policy change

Chapters to Prioritize

Must Read Thoroughly

  1. Chapter 1: Introduction to strategic nonviolence
  2. Chapter 4: Movement cycles and momentum
  3. Chapter 7: Hybrid approaches
  4. Chapter 9: Future of movements

Skim These

  • Chapters 2-3: Historical examples
  • Chapters 5-6: Case studies
  • Chapter 8: Technical details

Key Case Studies (Read Quickly)

  1. Serbian Student Movement
    • Youth-led
    • Strategic planning
    • Creative tactics
  2. Civil Rights Movement
    • Strategic escalation
    • Media strategy
    • Leadership development
  3. Marriage Equality
    • Long-term strategy
    • Cultural change
    • Institution building

Strategic Applications for FYP

1. Movement Building

  • Combine dramatic moments with institution building
  • Create strategic escalation plans
  • Develop both short and long-term strategies

2. Organization Development

  • Build hybrid structure
  • Create leadership pipeline
  • Develop sustainable resources

3. Tactical Planning

  • Design symbolic actions
  • Create media strategy
  • Build coalition support
Back to top