Constructive Resistance: Conceptualising and Mapping the Terrain

People living under systems of domination and exploitation engage in resistance in diverse ways, including building and experimenting with alternatives to the present. These efforts, often termed "constructive resistance," involve initiatives where individuals begin to shape the society they desire, independently of the dominant structures. In peace and conflict studies, this concept aligns with Gandhi’s idea of the constructive programme. In anarchist and Marxist traditions, it is known as prefigurative politics. While there are overlaps between these concepts, they emphasize different aspects. Despite frequent discussions among scholars and activists about the need for constructive approaches to resistance,…