The Power of the Powerless
A greengrocer, intimidated by life under Communist Party rule, posts a sign in their shop window that reads, "Workers of the globe, unite!" Does this reflect the grocer's unwavering political views? Or is it a representation of the lies we tell to keep ourselves safe?
Written in 1978, Václav Havel's reflection on political dissent—the rituals that put it down and the sparks that light it again—would serve as the organizing principle for Solidarity movements throughout the Soviet Union. The Power of the Powerless remains a stirring warning against the attraction of complacency while painting an image of activity in the face of deceit and intimidation.
