ABSTRACT
Dissent from the planned invasion and occupation of Iraq has been a global phenomenon on an unprecedented scale. The anti-war marches and demonstrations of 15 February 2003 have no obvious precedent in history. Never have so many ordinary citizens united across all divides of nationality, religion, political and cultural systems, in passionate but non-violent democratic opposition to a war.2 So impressive were these demonstrations that the New York Times was moved to comment on its front page that ‘there may still be two superpowers on the planet: the United States and world public opinion’.3
