This open lecture by María Belén Garrido explores the factors that shaped the behavior of Ecuador’s Armed Forces and Police during three presidential breakdowns—1997, 2000, and 2005—triggered by nonviolent movements. It analyzes institutional, political, and social dynamics influencing public force decision-making, including historical shifts in military doctrine, relationships between the government and security forces, and the short social and ethnic distance between security personnel and protesters. External influences, particularly the role of the U.S. government, are also examined. Drawing on interviews, media, and official documents, this research highlights why repression was limited and why defections occurred. The findings offer theoretical and practical contributions to the study of civil resistance and reaffirm the effectiveness of nonviolent strategies in democratic crises. This case invites comparative analysis on how security forces respond to unarmed mobilizations, and how societal ties and strategic discipline shape outcomes in political transitions.
Speaker
Dr María Belén Garrido holds a PhD from the Catholic University of Eichstätt/Ingolstadt, is visiting professor and member of the peace and conflict research group at FLACSO, Ecuador and convener of the area of contextual experiences of Nonviolence at the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence. She has several publications on civil resistance movements in the context of armed conflict and hybrid democracies. Dr María Belén Garrido has facilitated training programs in various areas such as nonviolent communication, conflict resolution, and civil resistance actions.
Please register to participate online:
https://uni-freiburg.zoom-x.de/meeting/register/fjWLg_4rRzeoQ4Bw3on5Qg
