Activism

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Activism consists of efforts to promote, impede, direct or intervene in social, political, economic or environmental reform with the desire to make changes in society toward a perceived greater good. Forms of activism range from mandate building in a community (including writing letters to newspapers), petitioning elected officials, running or contributing to a political campaign, preferential patronage (or boycott) of businesses, and demonstrative forms of activism like rallies, street marches, strikes, sit-ins, or hunger strikes.

Types of Activism

Activism may be performed on a day-to-day basis in a wide variety of ways, including through the creation of art (artivism), computer hacking (hacktivism), or simply in how one chooses to spend their money (economic activism). For example, refusing to buy merchandise from a company as a protest against the policies of said company is a type of activism. However, the most highly visible and impactful activism often comes in the form of collective action, in which numerous individuals coordinate their actions in order to have a greater impact.[1] Collective action that is purposeful, organized, and sustained over a period of time becomes known as a social movement.[2]

Methods

Activism takes on a variety of forms. Essentially, any activity one engages in with the intent of achieving a socio-political objective is activism.

List of Activist Activities

Art Activism

  1. Leaving a SwasiStone in a public place.

Direct Action

Economic Activism

Media Activism

References

  1. Tarrow, Sidney (1998). Power in Movement: Social Movements and Contentious Politics (2nd ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
  2. Goodwin, Jeff; Jasper, James (2009). The Social Movements Reader: Cases and Concepts (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.