About this strategy #

Most conventional activists, especially those visible in the mainstream, are using what we called Institutional strategies - putting pressure on governments to tweak the current system in order to improve the wellbeing of the people they represent. Some of the strategies from this category are Calling to vote, lawsuits, lobbying, advocacy campaigns, running for office, talking to politicians… What’s common for all of these is that their primary target are people in institutions of power (companies, national, regional or local governments, public institutions etc), and the demands are changes within the framework of the current system.

Political institutions #

• Canvassing

• Voting

• Running for office

• Petitions

Legal institutions #

No tactics for bringing about change from within legal institutions have been added yet.

Financial institutions #

• Boycott

• Divestment

• Shareholder activism

External resources #

• Elections and Activism: Campaign Skills by Commons Library

• Elections and Activism: Case Studies by Commons Library

• Lobbying and Advocacy: Start Here by Commons Library

• Lobbying: A Tactic for Social Change by Lois Levy

• Lobbying Playbook: How To Guides, Stories and Examples by Citizen's Climate Lobby

• The Unicorn Activity: Political Lobbying Roleplay by Anita Tang

• 10 Things to Know About How to Influence Policy With Research by Overseas Development Institute

Improve this page #

• How to work with the government to effect change

• How to lobby for change