Blueprint for Revolution: how to use rice pudding, Lego men, and other non-violent techniques to galvanise communities, overthrow dictators, or simply change the world

by Srdja Popovic

First, assume that most people are disinterested, unmotivated, apathetic, or downright hostile. Then, take a piece of paper—even a napkin can do the job—and draw a line. Mark yourself on one side of it, and then try to think who could stand together with you. If the answer is just a few people, start over—no matter how committed you are to a cause, or how troubled you are by a problem—and try again. When you’ve managed to place yourself and your friends and just about the rest of the world on one side of the line and a handful of evil bastards on the other, you’ve won. Make sure that the “line of division”—the phrase was used by an Otpor! buddy of mine named Ivan Marovic—that separates you and the bad guys gives you as many allies as possible.