Nonviolent revolution

A nonviolent revolution is a revolution using mostly campaigns of civil resistance, including various forms of nonviolent protest, to bring about the departure of governments seen as entrenched and authoritarian. While many campaigns of civil resistance are intended for much more limited goals than revolution, generally a nonviolent revolution is characterized by simultaneous advocacy of democracy, human rights, and national independence in the country concerned. In some cases a campaign of civil resistance with a revolutionary purpose may be able to bring about the defeat of a dictatorial regime only if it obtains a degree of support from the armed forces, or at least their benevolent neutrality.

An effective campaign of civil resistance, and even the achievement of a nonviolent revolution, may be possible in a particular case despite the controlling government taking brutal measures against protesters; the commonly held belief that most revolutions which have happened in dictatorial regimes were bloody or violent uprisings is not borne out by historical analysis. Nonviolent revolutions in the 20th century became more successful and more common, especially in the 1980s as Cold War political alliances which supported status quo governance waned.

Bloodless Coup

Bloodless Coup is the fifth studio album by Irish band Bell X1. It was released on 1 April 2011 in Ireland, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, on 4 April in the United Kingdom, and on 5 April in North America.

It has received average reviews from critics and reached number 3 of the Top Irish 100 Albums in its debut week.

Production

The album was produced by Rob Kirwan and recorded in Westmeath, Ireland and while touring Europe and North America. Prior to the release of the album Bell X1 performed tracks from Bloodless Coup on a short acoustic European tour. This tour included live dates in autumn/winter 2010 in Ireland,France, UK, Netherlands and Germany. In September 2010, the band revealed details about their fifth studio album. On 11 September the band offered fans their first listen to a new track called "Velcro" which was recorded at Oxegen Festival in Ireland. The band followed this with further live dates in North America and Europe. On 6 January 2011, Bell X1 revealed the artwork for the album. On 18 January the band revealed another track from the album called "Hey Anna Lena", followed by a video on 26 January of the band recording this song. The track-listing for the album was revealed on their website on 3 February 2011.