Strategies and tactics

Question 1

What is the main goal of protest tactics according to Alinsky?

Answer 1

• Empowering the “Have-Nots” to take power from the “Haves.”
• Power is not just what you possess, but what the enemy perceives you to have.

Question 2

How do perception and fear play a role in protest tactics?

Answer 2

• The threat of action is often more terrifying than the action itself.
• Psychological warfare, such as fear and uncertainty, can be a powerful tool.

Question 3

Why is ridicule one of the most effective protest tactics?

Answer 3

Ridicule is difficult to counter, provokes emotional reactions, and undermines the opposition’s credibility and unity

Question 4

What are the key factors in maintaining a movement’s energy?

Answer 4

• Tactics should be enjoyable for participants, as enthusiasm sustains engagement.
• However, a tactic that drags on too long loses momentum and should be replaced with fresh strategies.

Question 5

How does sustained pressure affect protest movements?

Answer 5

• Constant pressure forces the opposition to react, creating new opportunities for action.
• The cycle of action-reaction-action keeps the movement alive and adaptable.

Question 6

Why is targeting an essential part of protest strategy?

Answer 6

• Bureaucratic systems often diffuse responsibility, making it hard to hold anyone accountable.
• Effective activism requires selecting a clear, identifiable target
• Attacking individuals rather than abstract institutions makes the conflict clearer and more impactful.

Question 7

Why is flexibility crucial in activism?

Answer 7

Tactics must evolve with changing circumstances. Success is measured by the movement’s ability to provoke and adapt to opposition reactions.

Question 8

What is claim specialization?

Answer 8

• Claim specialization refers to the extent to which a protest’s claims focus on a single issue or span multiple issues.
• focus audience attention and enhance legitimacy, making protests more effective.

Question 9

How does claim specialization impact protest success?

Answer 9

Protests with more specialized claims are more likely to succeed in achieving their goals.

Question 10

What is the effect of combining specialized claims and diverse tactics?

Answer 10

Tactical diversity is most effective when paired with highly specialized claims.