Two well-known activists:
Bill Maher with
PETA president and co-founder
Ingrid Newkirk.
William "Bill" Maher Jr, (ˈmɑɹ born January 20 1956) is an American Stand-up comedian, Television host, Ingrid Newkirk (born June 11, 1949) is an English-born Animal rights activist author and president and co-founder of People for the Ethical Treatment
Activism, in a general sense, can be described as intentional action to bring about social or political change. Social development redirects here For the aspect of Human biological development, see Psychosocial development Social change is a general term which Politics Politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions This action is in support of, or opposition to, one side of an often controversial argument. A controversy or dispute is a commencement of a conflict between statements of accepted fact and a new or unaccepted proposal that disagrees with argues against
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, blogging and street marches, strikes, or even guerrilla tactics. This article deals with the general meaning of the term "synonym" Protest expresses relatively overt reaction to events or situations sometimes in favor though more often opposed Dissent is a sentiment or philosophy of non-agreement or Opposition to an Idea (eg Economic activism involves using economic power for change Both conservative and liberal groups use economic activism to Boycott companies and organizations that do not agree A boycott is a form of Consumer activism involving the act of voluntarily abstaining from using buying or dealing with someone or some other organization as an expression of A blog (a contraction of the term " Web log " is a Web site, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary descriptions of A demonstration is an historically and geographically common form of Nonviolent action by groups of people Strike action, often simply called a strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal by Employees to perform work. Guerrilla warfare is the unconventional warfare and combat with which a small group of combatants use mobile tactics (ambushes raids etc In the more confrontational cases, an activist may be called a freedom fighter by some, and a terrorist by others, depending on whether the commentator supports the activist's ends. Freedom fighter is a term to describe those that engage in a struggle to achieve freedom for themselves or to free others in some matter Terrorism is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion
In some cases, activism has nothing to do with protest or confrontation: for instance, some religious, feminist or vegetarian/vegan activists try to persuade people to change their behavior directly, rather than persuade governments to change laws. A religion is a set of Tenets and practices often centered upon specific Supernatural and moral claims about Reality, the Cosmos Feminism is a discourse that involves various movements theories, and Philosophies which are concerned with the issue of Gender difference, advocate Vegetarianism is the practice of a diet that excludes Meat (including game and slaughter by-products Fish (including Shellfish and other sea The cooperative movement seeks to build new institutions which conform to cooperative principles, and generally does not lobby or protest politically. The history of the cooperative movement concerns the origins and history of Cooperatives Although cooperative arrangements such as Mutual insurance, and principles
Transformational activism
Transformational activism is the idea that people need to transform on the inside as well on the outside in order to create any meaningful change in the world.
One example of transformational activism is peacekeeping which, as defined by the United Nations, is "a way to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for sustainable peace. Peacekeeping, as defined by the United Nations, is "a way to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for sustainable peace The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security " Peacekeepers monitor and observe peace processes in post-conflict areas and assist ex-combatants in implementing the peace agreements they may have signed. Such assistance comes in many forms, including confidence-building measures, power-sharing arrangements, electoral support, strengthening the rule of law, and economic and social development. Accordingly UN peacekeepers (often referred to as Blue Helmets because of their light blue helmets) can include soldiers, civilian police officers, and other civilian personnel. The Department of Peacekeeping Operations (or DPKO) is a department of the United Nations which is charged with the planning preparation management and direction Peacekeeping, as defined by the United Nations, is "a way to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for sustainable peace
Another example is encouraging choices to live in racially diverse communities. Such communities may literally "transform" communities by opening the minds of residents to new ideas, new cultures, new historical perspectives, and a broader view of life that ultimately can benefit social relations.
Another example of transformational activism is transformational economics. This is the idea that you can change the way resources flow in a society by doing inner work. People examine their emotional reactions to what their needs are. This may allow them to see that things they felt they needed are not really needed. This then alters the flow of goods in a society because of the underlying change in needs.
Tranformational politics is the field of guiding people to look inwardly what they feel is true power. They may discover that real power is seeing the deep connection of everyone with each other and of being able to tap that place. In this case power is not power over someone, but rather power to unleash collective creativity in creating a new society.
Tranformational activism is about looking for the common values underneath, and then working from there so that both parties are able to get what they want. In the process one or both parties may find their inner landscape and paradigms changing.
Transformational open-sourced activism is the idea that you can tap into the power of mass collaboration and collective creativity in a way that transforms the people involved into more loving, peaceful, compassionate states.
Types of activism
References
- Randy Shaw, The Activist's Handbook: A Primer for the 1990s and Beyond (University of California Press, 1996). Civil disobedience is the active refusal to obey certain Laws demands and commands of a Government, or of an occupying power, without resorting to physical Community building is a field of practices directed toward the creation or enhancement of Community between Individuals within a regional area (such as a Neighbourhood The activism industry is composed of organizations and individuals who make a living from Activism, involvement in action to bring about change Craftivism is a form of Activism, typically for Social justice, Environmentalism or Feminism, that is centred around practices of Craft Simple living (or voluntary simplicity) is a lifestyle individuals choose to minimize the 'more-is-better' pursuit of Wealth and consumption. Economic activism involves using economic power for change Both conservative and liberal groups use economic activism to Boycott companies and organizations that do not agree A boycott is a form of Consumer activism involving the act of voluntarily abstaining from using buying or dealing with someone or some other organization as an expression of Disinvestment, sometimes referred to as divestment, refers to the use of a concerted economic Boycott, with specific emphasis on liquidating stock to pressure a government Franchise activism refers to forms of Activism carried out by autonomous individuals or groups in different localities under the same name Lobbying includes all attempts to influence Legislators and officials whether by other legislators constituents or organized groups Media activism is Activism that uses media and communication technologies for Social movement, and/or tries to change policies relating to media and communication A precise definition of culture jamming is elusive It has been called a Resistance movement to Cultural hegemony, whereas some say the defining theme of culture jamming Hacktivism (a Portmanteau of Hack and Activism) is "the nonviolent use of illegal or legally ambiguous digital tools in pursuit Internet activism (also known as e-activism, electronic advocacy, cyberactivism, e-campaigning and online organizing) is the use of A political campaign is an organized effort which seeks to influence the decision making process within a specific group Propaganda is a concerted set of messages aimed at influencing the opinions or behaviors of large numbers of people Guerrilla communication and communication guerrilla refer to unconventional forms of communication and/or intervention in public events or discourse for reasons ranging from Nonviolence is a philosophy and strategy for social change that rejects the use of physical Violence. Violence is the exertion of force so as to injure or abuse The word is used broadly to describe the destructive action of natural phenomena like Storms and Earthquakes Riots are a form of Civil disorders characterized by disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of Violence, Vandalism or other Terrorism is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion Protest expresses relatively overt reaction to events or situations sometimes in favor though more often opposed A demonstration is an historically and geographically common form of Nonviolent action by groups of people Direct action is political action which happens outside normal political channels via indirect actions such as electing representatives. Theatre for Development, or TfD means live performance or Theater used as a development tool -- as in International development. A protest song is a Song which Protests against perceived problems in Society. Strike action, often simply called a strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal by Employees to perform work. Youth activism is best summarized as Youth voice engaged in Community organizing for Social change. Student activism is work done by students to effect political environmental economic or social change Youth-Led media is any effort created planned implemented and reflected upon by young people in the form of media, i 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). David Walls (born October 21 1941 is an Activist and Academic who has made significant contributions to Appalachian studies and to the popular understanding ISBN 0-671-74634-0
- Victor Gold, Liberwocky (Thomas Nelson, 2004). ISBN 978-0785260578
See also
External Links
The activism industry is composed of organizations and individuals who make a living from Activism, involvement in action to bring about change Civics is the study of citizenship and government with particular attention given to the role of citizens― as opposed to external factors― in the operation and oversight of government Demagogy (also demagoguery) ( Ancient Greek δημαγωγία from dēmos "people" and agein "to lead" refers to a political Judicial activism is a pejorative term for the misuse of judicial power and is a neologism for the older classical term " board judicial review. Lobbying includes all attempts to influence Legislators and officials whether by other legislators constituents or organized groups A political campaign is an organized effort which seeks to influence the decision making process within a specific group Protest expresses relatively overt reaction to events or situations sometimes in favor though more often opposed Rebellion is a refusal of obedienceIt may therefore be seen as encompassing a range of Behaviours from Civil disobedience and mass Nonviolent resistance Reform Movement redirects here For specific organizations by that name see Reform Movement (disambiguation A reform movement is a kind A revolution (from the Latin revolutio, "a turnaround" is a fundamental change in power or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively Social movements are a type of group action. They are large informal groupings of Individuals and/or Organizations focused on specific Teaching for Social justice is an educational philosophy that proponents argue Teaches for Justice and equity all learners in
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