The New Yorker Radio Hour Jimmy Kimmel and the Power of Public Pressure
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Sep 30, 2025 In this discussion, Hardy Merriman, a civil resistance expert and former president of the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict, delves into the effectiveness of nonviolent movements against governmental overreach. He emphasizes that large-scale non-cooperation—like protests and boycotts—can shift political dynamics. Merriman also highlights the emerging leadership within movements and critiques how ambient public pressure can impact institutional responses. He underscores the importance of unity and strategic action in the fight for democracy.
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Build Cross-Sector Alliances
- Build cross-sector alliances so no single group faces authoritarian pressure alone.
- Think like a team and have each other's back to deter further attacks.
Mobilization Protects Institutions
- Public mobilization is the primary guardrail against government overreach in backsliding democracies.
- Pressure can target enablers as well as the government to increase costs for abuse.
Nashville Sit-Ins To Boycott Example
- The Nashville lunch counter sit-ins escalated into a successful downtown business boycott in 1960.
- That consumer pressure forced corporations to press the government for change.