passive resistance

noun
1.
opposition to a government or to specific governmental laws by the use of noncooperation and other nonviolent methods, as economic boycotts and protest marches.
Origin
1880-85
Related forms
passive resister, noun
British Dictionary definitions for passive resistance

passive resistance

noun
1.
resistance to a government, law, etc, made without violence, as by fasting, demonstrating peacefully, or refusing to cooperate
passive resistance in Culture

passive resistance definition


A technique of demonstrating opposition to a government's activities simply by not cooperating with them. It is particularly associated with Mahatma Gandhi, who opposed violent revolution in his own country's fight for independence. (Compare civil disobedience and nonviolent resistance.)