[attiladhun2]

Naked use of force is no where near as effective as it once was. Kolakowski outlined resistance of unarmed people against an armed state. This non-violent resistance by Solidarity eventually put an end to Soviet power.

[Forward the Light Brigade]

Tell that to the good people of Hungry who rose up for freedom against the USSR. Peaceful protests do not work against a dedicated ruthless foe.

[Telepathic Intruder]

"Naked use of force is no where near as effective as it once was."

What is the reason, I wonder? I think as the Soviet Union became more unstable as any corrupt system eventually does, the government became more divided instead of driven by a single purpose. A mass murdering government can still appear suddenly and wipe out countless people before it too eventually crumbles from within.