Capitalism and corporations are under more pressure now than at any time since the Great Depression. Traditionally people displayed their activism through political parties. However, many have now lost faith with the main political parties and their membership numbers have fallen dramatically. But far from this meaning the end of activism, the opposite is true; activism is on the rise. Not only that but activists are also becoming more aware of the powers at their disposal, including violence where they feel it to be justified.
When most people think about activists they either think of placard wavers or those involved in the anti-globalisation protests, but the sheer scale of activism goes way beyond that and very often hits right at the heart of a corporation. Activist groups can range in size from a couple of people sat around a PC to an organisation the size of a multi-national company. Some work closely with corporations to help them operate in the ‘right way’ but others adopt a more confrontational approach and apply pressure in that way. Companies very often have little idea of how to react when they face such attacks. How should they react when an email or web blockade is set-up? In the more extreme cases it is not just a company’s reputation which is at risk but people’s personal safety, exposing them to violence and intimidation.
What is most noticeable about the way in which activists operate is that they think smarter, for instance they do not just attack a company but those associated with it – such as bankers, insurers, and shareholders. Activists have come to grips very quickly, often more quickly than corporations, with the use of electronic communications, the media and are even turning CSR reports against those who produce them by showing up unjustified claims.
These are just some of the issues which will be discussed in our forthcoming book ‘New Activism and the Corporate Response’. The book will contain contributions from the business community, activists and academics who will discuss their experiences, including George Monbiot and Charles Miller. It is only in this way we will really begin to understand the rise of the activists.
Published in Public Affairs Newsletter, Vol 9, No 6, March 2003