ABSTRACT
This essay argues that the study of conflict has predominantly focused on the collective actions of violent, armed non-state actors. With limited research on the role of nonviolent actions during conflict, in conflict-affected areas, or during situations of lengthy protracted political crises, research has also disregarded an important way that civilians can influence trajectories of violence. Consequently, this essay argues that, if peace-conflict researchers incorporate underlying forces of nonviolent resistance into their research, then the study of civilian-led nonviolent efforts is an outlet of building the connection between the study of conflict and the study of peace. Furthermore, the essay employs Galtung’s structural violence theory toward the latter.
