1. Thematic underpinnings in T.H. White’s The Once and Future King
Concepts of Pacifism
Thematic underpinnings in T.H. White’s The Once and Future King

2. Definition
The theory that peaceful rather than violent relations should govern human interaction
Peace is intrinsically good and should be upheld as more conducive to human welfare than violence or use of force

3. T.H. White and Pacifism
As a pacifist, T.H. White sought to blend his philosophy with Arthurian legend
After reading Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur, he felt that the work was “seeking an antidote to war” and saw it as a good vehicle for his theme
Merlyn the magician often serves as the voice of White in The Once and Future King

4. Related Ideas
The destructiveness of modern warfare fails to resolve conflicts
Avoidance of war best serves the interests of humanity and the human race
Only peace can preserve peace and break the chain of violence

5. Models of Pacifism
Nonviolent techniques can prevent the outbreak of violence and move society toward pure justice
Examples: Mohandas Gandhi influenced the British withdrawal from India; Martin Luther King, Jr. acquired civil rights for African-Americans

6. Concept 1: Killing In general, pacifists cannot condone killing
Their beliefs emphasize the sanctity of human life
Question: should all forms of killing be prohibited?

7. Concept 2: Violence and the Use of Force
The ability to reason is humankind’s most important faculty
Reason should triumph over emotion
Force should not be used to restrict the individual’s movement in society
Question: Is the use of force ever justifiable?

8. Concept 3: Innocents
War, violence, force, or restraint should not harm the innocent
Should innocents be subjected to violence to preserve the overall peace?

9. The Goal of Nonviolent Conflict
Nonviolent techniques can prevent the outbreak of violence and move society toward pure justice

10. Nonviolent Conflict
disruptive actions used by a popular movement struggling for rights or justice to mobilize and intensify civilian participation
direct intervention targets economic disruption to frustrate a regime's capacity to subjugate people

11. Methods of Passive Resistance
strikes
boycotts
petitions
parades
walkouts
hunger strikes
demonstrations
resignations
civil disobedience
sit-ins
blockades

12. Some History of Nonviolent Conflict
Mohandas Gandhi: ended British imperialist occupation of India
Danish resistance: thwarted the Nazis in World War II
Martin Luther King, Jr.: segregation in the US in the 1960s
Lech Walesa: Polish Solidarity in communist Poland
Filipino and Chilean resistance: brought down dictators in the 1980's
South African resistance: forced negotiations on apartheid
Serbian resistance: ousted Slobodan Milosevic

13. 20th-21st Century Nonviolent Movements
Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi against dictatorship in Burma/Myanmar
Oppositional movement against the authoritarian president of Zimbabwe
Resistance against Chinese occupation of Tibet
Falun Gong continues against the government in Beijing, China
Democratic opposition groups in Belarus, Ukraine and other former Soviet republics