Social change can be most effective when peaceful methods are used (Butcher & Svensson, 2016) and when interested parties can come together and find common ground upon which to fight for change (Chinn & Falk-Rafael, 2014). According to Butcher & Svensson (2016) non-violent means for social change are most frequently found in states where the GDP is rising and the manufacturing industry is on the rise.

The reason given by Butcher & Svensson (2016) for this phenomenon is that the increased manufacturing brings together people from all walks of life who come together with common needs and goals. The coming together of these people in a state which is rising financially generally creates a strong union with influence on the social climate.

The strength and diversity of the union along with common goals generally allows for a more peaceful approach to social change. The workers are able to communicate with governments in a way which allows their power to show without any force being needed. A possible explanation for this method not being common in less industrialized states is that there may be a lack of common ground and diversity of input to allow for the generation of peaceful solutions. There is likely a lack of power among the people as well which prevents the government from being motivated to change.

On a smaller scale, Chinn & Falk-Rafael (2014) found that for a group of nurses who wanted to create change in their workplace, finding common ground among themselves and creating unity gave them the power they needed to influence change. They were also more able to generate peaceful approaches to problem solving.

Both Butcher & Svensson (2016) and Chinn & Falk-Rafael (2014) found that when a group of people use peaceful methods and the power of unity, the effort to make changes are more effective and the changes are longer lasting.

References

Butcher, C., & Svensson, I. (2016). Manufacturing dissent: Modernization and the onset of major nonviolent resistance campaigns. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 31-339.

Chinn, P. L., & Falk-Rafael, A. (2014). Peace and power: A theroy of emancipatory group process. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 62-69.

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