broadcast technologies of television and mainstream radio and increase the
use of network technologies such as telephone.
It is important to remember that other forms of communications are important
besides telecommunications. This includes talking face-to-face, pamphlets,
graffiti, posters and the ordinary post. Telecommunications can aid
resistance to aggression and repression, but they are not essential.
It is also important to remember that technology is useless unless people are
willing to act. In this sense, politics, not technology, is the key to
resistance.
Recommendations
Even with the present state of technology and people’s awareness,
telecommunications can be an important part of nonviolent resistance to
aggression and repression. But there are also many things which can improve
the effectiveness of telecommunications for this purpose. We list them here
under five categories.
1. Realising present capabilities. Right now, people are quite capable of
using existing telecommunications to oppose a repressive regime. People need
to be made aware of their own capabilities.
If the mass media of television and mainstream radio, plus large-circulation
newspapers, are taken over, there are still plenty of avenues for independent
communication. The telephone system is the most obvious. Only a small
fraction of phones can be effectively monitored, so most people can use them
without risk; they need to realise this. Those who are at risk should
realise the possibilities for using other phones.
Those who have access to computer networks should be made aware of the
potential for communication. This includes people working for banks,
universities and large companies. Similarly, short-wave operators should be
made aware of the crucial importance of their technology.
Technicians in vital areas – such as television broadcasting or computer
networks – need to be aware of how they can help maintain communications
among those resisting repression.
2. Learning to use existing technology. Most people know how to use
telephones. Many more can learn how to use fax machines and computer
networks. Run a practice session with friends.
An even greater commitment is needed to learn to use short-wave radio or
packet radio. It is important for these skills to be more widely shared in
the community.
3. Preparation. Knowing how to use telecommunications is one thing; being
prepared to use them in a crisis is another.
Having a procedure for telephoning people in an organisation or network is
important. The system should work even when some people are not available or
some telephone lines are interrupted.
Developing lists of fax numbers is another useful step. On a computer
network, lists of important contacts could be kept ready for an emergency,
and perhaps hidden in a coded group so that others cannot inspect the list.
Another important part of preparation is simulations. A group of people can
run a drill, testing out their communication systems in the face of a few
disrupters. In this way the strengths and weaknesses of different systems
can be tested. Also, people can become accustomed to acting promptly and
sensibly in a crisis situation.
4. Designing technology. Telecommunications systems should be designed to
provide maximum support to a popular, nonviolent resistance, and minimal help
to a repressive regime. This seems never to have been a consideration in
system design before, so it is difficult to be precise about what is
required.
Is it possible to design a telephone system so that a speaker is warned if
another party is listening in on a call? Is it possible to design a
telephone system in which every phone can become – at least in emergencies -
as non-traceable as a public phone? Is it possible to design a telephone
system so that user-specified encryption is standard? Or in which encryption
is introduced across the system whenever a specified fraction of technicians
(or users) signal that this is warranted? Is “public key encryption,” or
some other system, the best way to support popular nonviolent struggles?
Is it possible to design a computer network so that the master user’s control
over accounts is overridden when a certain fraction of users demand this
within a specified period? Is it possible to design a computer system in
which encryption or hiding of data bases is automatic when there is
unauthorised entry?
There are many other such questions. Perhaps, too, these are not the
appropriate questions. The most effective design of a telecommunications
system to operate against a repressive regime will depend on practical tests
which cannot all be specified in advance. It is certainly the case that
there are a host of difficult and fascinating design problems.
It is important to remember that the design is not simply a technical issue,
since the most effective design depends on an assessment of people’s skills,
commitment and behaviour in a crisis situation. Good design will discourage
aggressors and encourage resistance. In this context, being seen to be
effective is part of what makes a system effective in practice.
5. Organising society. Telecommunications is only one part of nonviolent
resistance to aggression. Other areas are important too. A decentralised,
self-reliant energy system – rather than dependence on supplies generated at
a few central facilities – will make a community much more capable of
resisting threats from an aggressor. Similarly, greater self-reliance in
transport and agriculture would aid a community in defending itself. Workers
should be able to take control of their workplaces and resist demands of a
repressive regime.
All of this implies considerable changes in the organisation of society:
production and distribution of goods, services, transport, etc. In each
case, there are implications for communication. For example, if a regime
tried to repress dissent by interrupting deliveries of food, then it would be
vital to have reliable communication about available supplies, local gardens,
needy people, etc.
All of this would require preparation, organisation, commitment and training.
Conclusion
The development of telecommunications for nonviolent resistance to aggression
and repression depends on participation by many people to deal with local
situations. This is a preliminary report of our project. We welcome
comments, corrections and suggestions for future investigation, and hope to
hear about the ideas and experiences of others.
Schweik Action Wollongong
PO Box 492, Wollongong East
NSW 2520, Australia
Phone: +61-42-287860.
Fax: +61-42-213452.
E-mail: B.Martin@uow.edu.au
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