Planning & strategy
One of the chief limitations of the effectiveness of activists and their social movements has been the lack of strategic analytical theories and methods ... There are strategic models and step-by-step, how-to-do-it models for performing almost every human task except that of understanding and waging social movements.
- Bill Moyer
Where do you start if you have a forest to save, a war to resist or a dictator to undermine? And what steps should you follow?
A good strategy helps a movement do what it needs to succeed, while avoiding doing things which reduce the chances of success. It helps the movement to execute particular actions at the right time and place and enables the most effective use of often scarce resources. A good strategy anticipates the possible responses of powerholders while being flexible enough to accomodate or take advantage of unpredictable events.
The same rationale can be applied to planning individual direct actions. Clear objectives, an effective decision-making structure, defined roles, a running order of events, contingency planning, and consensus on when the action should end are all elements of a well-planned action.
Resources:
The Importance of Strategic Planning in Nonviolent Struggle by Gene Sharp
The author of The Politics of Nonviolent Action makes the case for strategy.
The Movement Action Plan by Bill Moyer
Developed during the Seabrook anti-nuclear energy protests of the late 1970s, the Movement Action Plan (MAP) is an eight-stage strategic framework for successful social movements.
The Practical Strategist by Bill Moyer
A summary of Moyer's strategic theories for evaluating, planning and conducting social movements.
The Four Roles by Bill Moyer
This excerpt from Doing Democracy introduces Moyer's four 'activist roles' - Citizen, Rebel, Reformer and Change Agent.
MAP diagrams
Three charts to illustrate some of the concepts behind the Movement Action Plan.
Strategizing for a Living Revolution by George Lakey
The founder of Training for Change summarises and updates the strategic model outlined in his book Powerful Peacemaking: A Strategy for A Living Revolution.
From Dictatorshop to Democracy by Gene Sharp
A manual for those wishing to undermine a dictatorship using the methods of nonviolent struggle. This essay was used by activists in the Otpor! movement to depose Serbian dictator Slobodan Milosovic in 2000.
The Political Objective and Strategic Goal of Nonviolent Action by Robert Burrowes
The role of objectives and goals in planning nonviolent actions.
Planning Actions
The basics of planning a nonviolent direct action, from the Greenpeace Get Active site.
The Ruckus Society Action Planning Manual
A guide for planning nonviolent direct action, focusing in particular on the role of actions within a broader strategy.