The three volumes or "parts" of The Politics of Nonviolent Action contain a total of 14 chapters, as well as a preface by the author, and an introduction by Thomas C. Schelling.

These sources all depend upon obedience, which arises for "various and multiple"[1]: 19  reasons that include habit, fear of sanctions, perceived moral obligation, psychological identification with the ruler, zones of indifference, and absence of self-confidence among subjects.

Volume 2 (chapters 3 to 8) contains a detailed listing and description of specific methods of nonviolent action, such as boycotts, strikes, and sit-ins.

"[23]: 114  A total of 198 methods are listed in the table of contents, and Sharp groups them into three broad categories, protest and persuasion (ch.

Chapter 11 also extensively analyzes the threats against and needs for ongoing adherence to nonviolent discipline, "in order to bring into operation the changes that will alter relationships and achieve [the] objectives,"[20]: 573  even as "the opponent... tries to provoke them to commit violence - with which he could deal more effectively.

[20]: 657 This chapter provides numerous historical examples of such political jiu-jitsu, and analyzes such factors as the impact of third party opinion and international indignation, arousing dissent and opposition in the opponent's own camp, and increasing support and participation from the grievance group.

These represent "three broad processes, or mechanisms, by which the complicated forces utilized and produced by nonviolent action influence the opponent and his capacity for action and thereby perhaps bring success to the cause of the grievance group":[20]: 705–6 In conversion the opponent has been inwardly changed so that he wants to make the changes desired by the nonviolent actionists.

In nonviolent coercion the opponent has not changed his mind on the issues and wants to continue the struggle, but is unable to do so; the sources of his power and means of control have been taken away from him without the use of violence .

"Nonviolent action appears by its very nature to contribute to the diffusion of effective power throughout the society"[20]: 802  due in part to the enhanced self-reliance of those using the technique.

"[3]: 140  The book "reveals a large but previously mostly unnoticed segment of human action relationship which would very properly be described as 'nonviolent warfare.

'"[3]: 140–1  Boulding asserted several parallels with a seminal work in his own field, economics, explaining that this volume... reminds one of [Adam Smith's] The Wealth of Nations.

"[3]: 141 Boulding described Part II as "in some ways... the meatiest and richest part of the work,"[3]: 142  although he noted that Sharp's examples are drawn from "quite restricted range"[3]: 142  of human history: There must be many examples from Chinese history; Latin America is hardly mentioned; and the European middle ages, with its extraordinary phenomenon of the "Truce of God," receives hardly a mention.

Nevertheless, Sharp's examples are broad and wide and illustrate the universality and significance of this phenomenon, which, simply because it has not had a name, has been grossly neglected by conventional historians.

[3]: 142 Boulding also reported some ways that Sharp's theoretical analysis seemed to be deficient, "even in terms of what might be called 'classical' or Gandhian theories of nonviolence.

"[4]: 532  He wrote that Sharp has exposed the inadequacy of assuming the monolithic character of the nation state in international relations theory.

"[4]: 532  He warned that if we do not develop a better understanding of phenomenon related to nonviolence, we face the danger that we will be progressively less able to... design policies and institutions that can cope with the future.

"[12]: 466  Due to the "illusory"[12]: 466  nature of the distinction based on physical violence alone, Sharp is often "confused,"[12]: 466  although "many thoughtful arguments are offered.

"[12]: 466–7  Friedrich concluded that "the topic of how to avoid violence in political conflicts is an important one, the treatment given here is learned, but not very clear, and the results not conclusive," but that the book was a "timely one" that he hoped it will "lead to further more searching studies.

"[6]: 249  Specht described an "absence of a clear theoretical framework.... it does not illuminate such central questions as... Why is nonviolent action used in some cases and not in others?

"[6]: 249–50  The book is also "rich with writings on social movements and thin on theorists such as Kenneth Boulding, Amitai Etzioni, Jerome Skolnick, and Ralf Dahrendorf - who have dealt with conflict and violence.

[15] Because of how influential Gene Sharp has been, there are several sites and groups that have undertaken the task of creating online databases that provide explanations and examples of the original 198 methods and new tactics that have developed over the years.

[29] The Politics of Nonviolent Action originally appeared in 3 volumes in English in 1973, and has subsequently been translated fully or partially into several other languages.