Activism

Activism is a natural right and responsibility of citizens in a democracy. It consists of the full range of activities through which people seek to change society, including corporate and government policies but also social attitudes.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines activism as "The use of direct, often confrontational action, such as a demonstration or strike, in opposition to or support of a cause." Princeton University's WordNet defines it as "a policy of taking direct and militant action to achieve a political or social goal." Not all activism, however, fits this description. Voter registration and lobbying, for example, are forms of activism that are not confrontational. AIDS activists sometimes engaged in confrontational activities, but sometimes they merely engaged in public education. And actions by nonviolent activists such as Mohandas Gandhi or Martin Luther King, Jr. cannot be reasonably described as "militant."

PRWatch.org articles on activism
http://www.prwatch.org/taxonomy/term/54/9

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Activists
 * Environmental and animal activists injured or killed
 * Internet activism
 * Virtual Activism
 * War on activism