History
The Role of Civil Society in Democratic Transitions
Quick fact
In Poland, the independent trade union Solidarity grew from a workers' strike in 1980 to a movement of 10 million members, and its persistence helped bring down the communist government—without a single shot being fired in the transition.
Why this is interesting
Imagine millions of ordinary people suddenly taking to the streets to demand democracy—what makes that moment possible? Civil society is the quiet force that turns isolated grievances into collective power.