Throughout the lead-up to No Kings Day, you’ve heard reference to 3.5% rule — the observation by social scientists that few authoritarian governments have withstood 3.5% of their population mobilizing against them. The 3.5% is a historically important target — but not a magic number.
Erica Chenoweth — the scholar who developed the rule — agrees, and in fact has written: “Other factors — momentum, organization, strategic leadership, and sustainability — are likely as important as large-scale participation.”
Pod Save America interviewed Professor Chenoweth about her findings on their June 15, 2025 podcast. This in-depth interview starts at minute 4:50.