Why Most Protests Fail ft. Erica Chenoweth | Prof G Conversation

The gist

1. Chenoweth says no nonviolent campaign that mobilized 3.5% of the population, about 12.25 million people, has ever failed, but scale alone is not enough.
2. Winning defections from pillars of power like security forces, business elites, and political institutions is the hardest and most decisive step for any movement.
3. An umbrella body that unites separate resistance groups under one strategy is key, as seen when South Korea's trade unions blocked a 2024 coup attempt.
4. Chenoweth says the No Kings protests show strength on three of four success factors but need to shift toward electoral organizing and economic pressure to close the gap.