An innovative and accessible work that introduces readers to the main arguments for and against the use of violence in politics. Indeed, the problem of political violence has acquired new salience in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Written by an experienced teacher and scholar of the subject, the book has been specially designed to engage readers by encouraging them to assume the role of impartial jurors in a simulated trial against nonviolence. This exciting participatory format allows readers to explore the the main assumptions and myths that underpin various 'realist' and 'idealist' approaches to nonviolence. Key features of this text include: coverage of the main idealist theories, traditions, methods and movements that favor nonviolent political action coverage of the main realist arguments against nonviolent strategies examples of major nonviolent social and political movements from the early twentieth century to today