Posts Tagged 'Counterinsurgency'

Expelliarmus! Harry Potter and the Path to Gandhian Non-Violence

Published 30 July 2007 Art & Culture , Politics & Policy 4 Comments
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expelliarmus

A country should be defended not by arms, but by ethical behavior.
-Vinoba Bhave

Throughout the Harry Potter series, when Jo Rowling’s hero raises his wand in anger or defense against an evil witch or wizard, he habitually uses non-lethal curses and charms. Indeed, in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the identity of a concealed Harry is immediately revealed to the Death Eaters when he slips a killing curse and de-wands his assailant, rather than returning deadly fire. Says Remus Lupin, “The Death Eaters seem to think it’s your signature move, and I urge you not to let it become so.”

Continue reading ‘Expelliarmus! Harry Potter and the Path to Gandhian Non-Violence’

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