The protesters at Ferguson might have won, but choose to lose

Larry Kummer, Editor

12 years ago

Summary: 4GW is the dominant form of warfare in our time, allowing materially weaker peoples to defeat stronger opponents. Such victories are not free; they require a group to become morally strong: cohesive, disciplined, behaving so as to gather support from others. Mere violence accomplishes nothing, as African-Americans will learn again in Ferguson MO.

“Our immediate goal is to make sure that the residents of Ferguson are safe, that the looting stops, that the vandalism stops, that the people who are living in the community are confident that justice will be done.”
— Valerie Jarrett (Senior Advisor to Obama) interviewed by American Urban Radio Networks, 17 August 2014

“A number of locals have told NPR that they’re increasingly frustrated that Ferguson residents are being represented by small handfuls of looters and rioters, who they suspect are from out of town.”
— “More Mayhem In Ferguson: Tear Gas, Looting, Gunshots“, NPR, 18 August 2014

Technology has given us superpowers, but not to the extent that we know what’s going on in Ferguson. There has been looting and burning. But how much? By whom: locals or outsiders? How violent have the protests been?

What we do know is that the people of Ferguson MO, especially its African-American members, had the moral high ground after the shooting of the unarmed Michael Brown by local police for still-unclear but probably insufficient reasons. The moral high ground has often provided a decisive advantage in conflicts — even in war. America proved in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, gaining vital support in both from the UK and Farnce). It’s even more important in 4GWs.

The Ferguson shooting might have been the equivalent of the 1955 arrest of Rosa Parks, which sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott , which led to the founding of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference — from which still greater events came. These triumphs came through non-violent protests, requiring great discipline by large numbers of people — achieved by organizations and leadership built over generations. (I’ve been unable to find details about how they maintained such tight discipline during these protests).

Also, non-violent protest is one way to use the power of weakness against superior physical power. For details see:

“Why Iraq Will End as Vietnam Did“, Martin van Creveld, 2004
The War Nerd discovers van Creveld’s “power of weakness”, and demography, 18 July 2008

These are the benefits gained from organization and leadership, force multipliers against mere power.

The riots and looting in Ferguson flush away any advantages gained by Brown’s execution. SWAT teams, armored vehicles, and heavy weapons — most people consider these excessive force against peaceful protesters. Opinion swings the other way when the police defend the community against looters and rioters. Most of us would want all of these advantages when standing in the street facing a large violent mob.

Then there is the wider audience of American who learn about these things by TV. Peaceful protesters earn admiration, the first step to gaining support. Rioters build support for the police. It’s the harsh logic of 4GW (the Good, True, and Beautiful are loved by God, but not always useful down here).

The tools for victory against overbearing State power are available to all, but their price is high in terms of sacrifice, discipline, and effort.

News from the front

“Missouri governor imposes curfew in Ferguson, declares emergency“, CNN, 16 August 2014 — Excerpt:

The looting began at the Ferguson Market and Liquor store, which has become part of the case. … As protesters took to the streets early Saturday, more than two dozen people blocked off the convenience store with cars. Police with riot gear, tactical rifles and armored vehicles were nearby, commanding them through loudspeakers to free it up.

Instead, bottles flew, mayhem erupted, and looters ransacked the store, which the owner had boarded up. It was the first of at least three stores raided.