Key Difference – Activism vs Advocacy
Activism and advocacy are methods employed to bring about social or political change. However, these two approaches have a key difference in the way they enact these changes. Advocacy refers to the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal, while activism is the action of using vigorous campaigning to effect change.
What is Advocacy?
Advocacy is a broad term that refers to the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal. It involves individuals or groups trying to influence decisions within economic, political, and social systems and institutions. Advocacy can encompass a variety of activities, such as public speaking, media campaigns, research, petitions, and meetings with government officials. The internet and social media are important platforms and strategies in modern advocacy.
People advocate for a wide range of social causes or issues, including civil rights, women’s rights, LGBT rights, veganism, environmentalism, and more. Some of these are clear-cut social issues, like human trafficking, while others, such as abortion, may have strong support on both sides (anti-abortion and pro-abortion). An advocate is a person engaged in advocacy.
What is Activism?
Activism can be considered a form of advocacy, as it also involves promoting or supporting social and political changes. Activism is defined as “the use of direct, often confrontational action, such as a demonstration or strike, in opposition to or support of a cause” (American Heritage Dictionary).
Activism includes various activities, such as strikes, boycotts, rallies, street marches, sit-ins, and hunger strikes. An activist is a person engaged in activism. Activism is often associated with working outside the system, as it typically involves direct, confrontational, and radical actions. Examples of activism include women’s suffrage movements and various union activities.
What is the difference between Activism and Advocacy?
Definition:
Activism is the use of direct, often confrontational action in opposition to or support of a cause.
Advocacy is the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal.
System:
Activism may involve working outside the system.
Advocacy may involve working within the system.
Connotations:
Activism is associated with radical, direct, and confrontational actions.
Advocacy is associated with official and less confrontational actions.
Activities:
Activism may involve activities like boycotts, strikes, rallies, street marches, etc.
Advocacy involves public speaking, petitions, conducting and publishing research, media campaigns, etc.
Person Involved:
An activist is a person who is engaged in activism.
An advocate is a person who is engaged in advocacy.
Image Courtesy:
“Student activists on PUP” By Ace_Mendiola (talk) (Uploads) – Ace_Mendiola (talk) (Uploads) (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
“Microphone advocacy summit” by Federation European Cyclists’ (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
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