Social strike is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of activities that use the withdrawal of cooperation and mass disruption to affect governments and social structures. I use the term “social strikes” to describe mass actions that exercise power by withdrawing cooperation from and disrupting the operation of society. Social strikes represent the withdrawal of cooperation and acquiescence by a whole society, manifested for example in general strikes, political strikes and mass popular “people power” uprisings. The goal of a social strike is to affect not just the immediate employer, but a political regime or social structure. In all their varied forms they are based on Gandhi’s fundamental perception that “even the most powerful cannot rule without the cooperation of the ruled.” Throughout the 2020s I have been exploring how social strikes can contribute to overcoming the rising tide of tyranny.
In 2020, I was asked to provide guidance for activists of the human rights movements in Iran. In these discussion points I introduced the term “social strikes.”
“Discussion Points re: Social Strikes”
In English
In Persian
At the outset of the second Trump presidency, I laid out key strategies for overcoming his authoritarian rule.
“Defending Society Against MAGA Tyranny: A Prospectus for Action” January 1, 2025
In spring, 2025 Waging Nonviolence asked me to present a primer on general strikes and their potential contribution to resisting the emerging Trump autocracy.
“What Would a General Strike in the US Actually Look Like?” April 2025
As Donald Trump’s MAGA presidency turned to violent tyranny at home and military aggression abroad, a massive movement-based opposition developed to halt his attack on society.
“A Movement-Based Opposition to Trump and MAGA” September, 2025
As Donald Trump’s MAGA presidency turned to violent tyranny at home and military aggression abroad, a massive movement-based opposition developed to halt his attack on society.
“Social Strikes: Can General Strikes, Mass Strikes, and People Power Uprisings Provide a Last Defense Against MAGA Tyranny?” December, 2025
Znetwork produced a series of short videos based on the “Social Strike” report:
| Social Strikes: An Introduction | A History of Social Strikes: Around the World |
Social Strikes in American History |
| Social Strikes vs MAGA: Laying the Groundwork |
Timelines and Organizations | Goals and Tactics |
| Endgames: “The Power is in our Solidarity” |
I was interviewed on January 16,2026 by Alexandria Shaner of Znetwork about “Social Strikes: Confronting ICE and Resisting Authoritarianism.”
On February 16, 2026 I participated in a webinar to discuss the potential of social strikes to combat Trump, facilitated by the Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security and co-sponsored by Labor Network for Sustainability, MayDayStrong, ZNetwork.org, Indivisible Maynard Area, Massachusetts Peace Action, based on my December 2025 Social Strike report.