Activism, Inc.

Activism, Inc. examines the corporatization of progressive grassroots campaigns in America through an ethnographic study of canvassing operations. The book follows author Dana Fisher's investigation of Fund for Public Interest Research offices during summer 2003, documenting the experiences of young activists working in street-level fundraising. Fisher chronicles the shift from traditional community organizing to outsourced canvassing models that prioritize immediate fundraising goals. The research draws from Fisher's own background as a former canvasser, combining personal insight with extensive field observations and interviews. The text analyzes how modern campaign structures affect both political outcomes and the individual canvassers who serve as their foundation. Fisher explores the relationship between organizational methods and broader trends in progressive political movements. This investigation raises fundamental questions about the future of grassroots activism and the impact of applying corporate efficiency models to social movements. The book contributes to ongoing debates about effective organizing strategies and the evolution of progressive politics in America.

Readers highlight Fisher's insider perspective on progressive canvassing operations and the shift toward outsourced activism models. The research methods and access to organizations provide unique insights into grassroots operations. Liked: - Detailed look at canvasser experiences and organizational structures - Clear documentation of high turnover rates and burnout - Analysis of how outsourcing affects campaign effectiveness Disliked: - Some found the conclusions too narrow given the limited sample size - Several note the book focuses more on organizational issues than broader political impact - Multiple readers wanted more exploration of alternative organizing models Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (32 ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (14 ratings) "Documents an important shift in how advocacy works, though the scope feels limited" - Goodreads reviewer "Strong on describing problems but light on solutions" - Amazon reviewer "Valuable research that exposes concerning trends in progressive organizing" - LibraryThing review

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🔸 Professional canvassing organizations saw explosive growth in the early 2000s, with some companies managing over 2,000 canvassers across multiple states 🔸 The average door-to-door canvasser in the study lasted only two weeks on the job, despite extensive training and recruitment efforts 🔸 Dana R. Fisher has continued her research on activism and social movements, serving as a professor at the University of Maryland and publishing several books on environmental politics 🔸 The canvassing model examined in the book originated from groups like the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) in the 1970s 🔸 Many of the techniques described in the book were later adopted by both conservative and progressive political campaigns during the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections