activism

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Activism, in a general sense, can be described as intentional action to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change. This action is in support of, or opposition to, one side of an often controversial argument.

The word "activism" is often used synonymously with protest or dissent, but activism can stem from any number of political orientations and take a wide range of forms, from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism (such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing preferred businesses), rallies, street marches, strikes, both work stoppages and hunger strikes, or even guerrilla tactics.

In some cases, activism has nothing to do with protest or confrontation. For instance, some religious, or vegetarian/vegan activists try to persuade people to change their behavior directly, rather than persuade governments to change laws. The cooperative movement seeks to build new institutions which conform to cooperative principles, and generally does not lobby or protest politically.

Notable activists

Mahatma Gandhi  John Lennon  Martin Luther King, Jr.  Gloria Steinem  César Chávez  Andreas Papandreou

Types of activism

• Civil disobedience
• Community building
  • Activism industry
  • Conflict transformation
  • Cooperative movement
  • Craftivism
  • Voluntary simplicity
• Economic activism
  • Boycott
  • Divestment (a.k.a. Disinvestment)
• Franchise activism
• Lobbying
• Media activism
  • Culture jamming
  • Hacktivism
  • Internet activism
• Non-violent confrontation
• Peace activist and Peace movement
• Political campaigning
• Propaganda
• Reading Activism
  • Guerrilla communication
• Protest
  • Demonstration
  • Direct action
  • Theater for Social Change
  • Protest songs
• Strike action
• Youth activism
  • Student activism
  • Youth-led media

See also

• Activism industry
• Lobbying
• Social movement
• Virtual volunteering

References

This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (February 2008)

• Randy Shaw, The Activist's Handbook: A Primer for the 1990s and Beyond (University of California Press, 1996). ISBN 0-520-20317-8
• David Walls, The Activist's Almanac: The Concerned Citizen's Guide to the Leading Advocacy Organizations in America (Simon & Schuster/Fireside, 1993). ISBN 0-671-74634-0
• Victor Gold, Liberwocky (Thomas Nelson, 2004). ISBN 978-0785260578

External links

• Campus Activism
• Common Dreams
• Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict