Activism, Inc.: How the Outsourcing of Grassroots Campaigns Is Strangling Progressive Politics in America

by Dana R. Fisher

Book Overview

Activism, Inc. introduces America to an increasingly familiar political actor: the canvasser. She's the twenty-something with the clipboard, stopping you on the street or knocking on your door, the foot soldier of political campaigns.

Granted unprecedented access to the "People's Project," an unknown yet influential organization driving left-leaning grassroots politics, Dana Fisher tells the true story of outsourcing politics in America...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0804752176
• ISBN13: 9780804752176
• Release Date: July 2006
• Publisher: Stanford University Press
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.8" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

A Balanced View

Reviews on this book are going to be slanted based on whether the reviewer agrees with the author's thesis. I feel that the author did a good job of presenting both the positive and negative aspects of canvassing, and of doing her research. More often people's opinions on canvassing tend to fall to the extremes. Interestingly the most vehement defenders tend to come from the 1% or so of canvassers who have stuck with it, and secured higher-level positions in canvassing or social change organizations. What's missing is a model for an alternative form of getting people started in activism. For me, that model would be to get involved in community organizations that get to choose their own local campaigns, run themselves, and fund their own positions by doing grassroots fundraising (and raise the money from people who are involved in the democratic decision-making of the organization - for instance by having regular membership meetings). These organizations would stay in a community for ten years or more, build deep relationships with its members and other progressive organizations, and create a base for longterm social change.

Unfortunately the premise is all too real

"Just the Facts" needs to check his or her facts (beware of anonymous reviewers). The book is well-sourced and the author clearly documents how the Democratic Party has outsourced their campaigns which led to the 2004 disaster. That's why Dean launched the 50-states campaign. I also suggest the following article from the American Prospect that addresses the problem of canvasser outsourcing (http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root & name=ViewWeb & articleId=11993).