We use this term "nonviolent action" because, though the behavior of the persons described is determined enough, and even in its own way forceful, it is without physical violence. As it happened, the nonviolent action was successful in many cases; the Quakers were given religious liberty by the Puritans, the sit-ins integrated the Nashville lunch counters, Bismarck backed down, and Pilate also relented.
Evidently, nonviolent action has some kind of power, even when the action is not very spectacular. The question then arises, what is this power? Some people say, "It is the power of God," others say, "It is the power of love." Either answer leads to further questions, for just as the astronomer does not feel his task is done when he hears the stars defined as "the wonders of nature," so we are not content with a philosophical description of nonviolent action. The task of this pamphlet, therefore, is to discover the how of nonviolent action.
