Cynthia Boaz

Dr. Cynthia Boaz is assistant professor of political science at Sonoma State University, where her areas of expertise include quality of democracy, political development, nonviolent struggle, civil resistance, and political communication and media. She is also an analyst and consultant on nonviolent action, with special emphasis on the Iran and Burma cases. Dr. Boaz is also a contributing writer and adviser to Truthout.org and associate editor of Peace and Change Journal.

Must we change our hearts before throwing off our chains?

Protesters praying in Tahrir Square on May 27, 2011. By Maggie Osama, via Flickr.

One of the consequences of the Occupy movement’s emergence onto the scene over the last nine months is the escalating disagreement about the role of various strands of nonviolence and nonviolent action in the struggle.More

Cynthia Boaz

July 9, 2012

34 Comments

The violence of Andrew Breitbart

Andrew Breitbart at the Americans for Prosperity Defending the American Dream Conference. Photo by Mark Taylor, via Flickr.

Much of my work in nonviolence and nonviolent action revolves around the assumption that the ends never justify the means, and that the way you fight a battle has everything to do with the ultimate result.More

Cynthia Boaz

March 5, 2012

8 Comments

The obligations of independence

“Please use your liberty to promote ours.” –Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of Burma’s National League for Democracy As I get ready to celebrate this Independence Day by barbecuing and watching fireworks with my family this evening, I can’t help but think about what this holiday must look like from the outside.More

Cynthia Boaz

July 4, 2011

1 Comment