Direct action

Direct action originated as a political activist term for economic and political acts in which the actors use their power (e.g. economic or physical) to directly reach certain goals of interest, in contrast to those actions that appeal to others (e.g. authorities), by, for example, revealing an existing problem, using physical violence, highlighting an alternative, or demonstrating a possible solution.

There are both solutions, violent and nonviolent.

Nonviolent direct action may include sit-ins, strikes, street blockades, and counter-economics. Violent direct action may include political violence, assault, arson, sabotage, and property destruction.

The aim of direct action is mainly to obstruct another political agent or political organization from performing some practice to which the activists object or to solve perceived problems that traditional societal institutions (governments, religious organizations, or established trade unions) are not addressing to the satisfaction of the direct action participants.