The Impact of Civil Resistance on the Post-Cold War International Society

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Abstract

This research examines the phenomenon of civil resistance and its influence on shaping the world order following the Cold War. The study combines quantitative analysis of resistance campaigns from 1989-2018 based on the NAVCO project data with an examination of contemporary literature on non-violent struggle. The methodology employs a comparative approach to evaluate the effectiveness of various forms of civil resistance across different historical and cultural contexts. The research findings confirm the greater effectiveness of non-violent resistance methods compared to violent ones while revealing a concerning trend of declining effectiveness of civil resistance in recent decades. The study provides a systematic analysis of how the digital revolution and globalization have transformed civil resistance forms after 1989. A significant contribution is the comparative examination of the outcomes of the "velvet revolutions" in Central and Eastern Europe and the Tiananmen Square events, which led to the formation of alternative development models. The author concludes that the contemporary multipolar system of international relations is characterized by the coexistence of various models of social development competing for influence and recognition. The research demonstrates how civil resistance has evolved through several distinct phases since 1989, from the post-Cold War euphoria to the complex dynamics of the Arab Spring and recent environmental movements. The research predicts the emergence of new forms of civil resistance focused not primarily on political transformations but on addressing global challenges such as the climate crisis, economic inequality, and digital control. The significance of civil resistance in coming decades will be determined by its ability to adapt to new geopolitical realities, consider national and cultural specifics, and offer constructive alternatives to existing models.

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