How to Overthrow Dictators Without Violence (with Srđa Popović)

Political activist Srđa Popović led the movement that overthrew Serbian dictator Slobodan Milošević in 2000. Since then, his organization, Canvas, has trained activists in over 50 countries how to build successful nonviolent movements—and he says most people misunderstand how change actually happens. “When we start working with them, they often say, ‘Oh, I'm too busy doing things, I don't have time for planning,’” Srđa says. “If I was given a dime every time I've heard that, I would probably have a private plane. Unfortunately I wasn't, so I drive a 2012 old Buick.” This week on Revolution.Social, Srđa and Rabble talk about why viral videos and protests aren't enough without strategy; why the Montgomery bus boycott succeeded; and how humor can be more effective than anger at undermining autocrats. They also discuss how modern authoritarians use apathy and conspiracy theories instead of fear, why all political movements need leaders, and what happened when activists in Russia set up hundreds of small plastic toys to protest corruption and electoral malpractice. ⁠Follow Rabble on Bluesky⁠⁠ Follow the podcast⁠ This episode was produced and edited by Eric Johnson from ⁠LightningPod.fm⁠, and executive produced by Alice Chan from ⁠Flock Marketing⁠. To learn more about Rabble’s social media bill of rights, and sign up for our newsletter, visit ⁠https://revolution.social/