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

The terms activism and activist used in a political manner first appeared in the Belgian press in 1916 in connection with the Flamingant movement.1 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 and street marches, strikes, or even guerrilla tactics. 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.

In some cases, activism has nothing to do with protest or confrontation: for instance, some religious and feminist 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 its principles, and generally does not lobby or protest politically.

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@tommatzzie $$$ in politics + arcane rules of US legislative branch = corporate capture & stasis. That should be the target of ire/activism.
drgrist (David Roberts) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:02:53 -0000
@tommatzzie $$$ in politics + arcane rules of US legislative branch = corporate capture & stasis. That should be the target of ire/activism.
RT @huffingtonpost Stupak Coordinating Anti-Choice Activism w/ R Senate Leadership http://bit.ly/7zkWf9. Should just become R & b done w/ it
ChrisQuint (Chris Quint) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:57:09 -0000
RT @huffingtonpost Stupak Coordinating Anti-Choice Activism w/ R Senate Leadership http://bit.ly/7zkWf9. Should just become R & b done w/ it
Close involvement of NGOs in the process resulted in unhelpful blurring of diplomacy and environmental activism http://bit.ly/5HhvvJ #cop15
Alheri (Lilly Evans) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:56:44 -0000
Close involvement of NGOs in the process resulted in unhelpful blurring of diplomacy and environmental activism http://bit.ly/5HhvvJ #cop15
and also talking to @sarahesperanza (who never tweets) about activism in general.
mads800 (Madeline ) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:48:43 -0000
and also talking to @sarahesperanza (who never tweets) about activism in general.
RTMining blogosphere 4 #iranelection 's impact on Mideast & Muslim states,found armchair activism It's something: http://tinyurl.com/yf3ed4w
edwand (Usul) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:47:25 -0000
RTMining blogosphere 4 #iranelection 's impact on Mideast & Muslim states,found armchair activism It's something: http://tinyurl.com/yf3ed4w
Mining blogosphere for #iranelection 's impact on Mideast & Muslim states,found armchair activism It's something: http://tinyurl.com/yf3ed4w
negaratduke (Negar Mottahedeh) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:37:43 -0000
Mining blogosphere for #iranelection 's impact on Mideast & Muslim states,found armchair activism It's something: http://tinyurl.com/yf3ed4w

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