economic activism
Economic activism involves using economic power for change. Both conservative and liberal groups use economic activism to boycott or outbid companies and organizations that do not agree with their particular political, religious, or social values. Conversely, it also means purchasing from those companies and organizations that do.
Types of economic activism
Brand activism{{cite book|title=Brand Activism: From Purpose to Action |first1=Christian |last1=Sarkar |first2=Philip |last2=Kotler |date=October 2018 |isbn=978-0-9905767-9-2 }} is the type of activism in which business plays a leading role in the processes of social change. Applying brand activism, businesses show concern for the communities they serve, and their economic, social, and environmental problems, which allows businesses to build sustainable and long-term relationships with the customers and prospects. Kotler and Sarkar{{clarify|reason=who are they and why should we care what they think?|date=March 2022}} defined the phenomenon as an attempt by firms to solve the global problems its future customers and employees care about.{{cite web |url=http://www.activistbrands.com/what-is-brand-activism/ |title = WHAT IS BRAND ACTIVISM? – ActivistBrands.com}}
Consumer activism is activism on behalf of consumers for consumer protection or by consumers themselves. For instance, activists in the free produce movement of the late 1700s protested against slavery by boycotting goods produced with slave labor. Today, vegetarianism, veganism, and freeganism are all forms of consumer activism which boycott certain types of products. Other examples of consumer activism include simple living, a minimalist lifestyle intended to reduce materialism and conspicuous consumption, and tax resistance, a form of direct action and civil disobedience in opposition to the government that is imposing the tax, to government policy, or as opposition to taxation in itself.
Shareholder activism involves shareholders using an equity stake in a corporation to put pressure on its management.{{Cite journal|last=Lin|first=Tom C. W.|date=2015-03-18|title=Reasonable Investor(s)|language=en|location=Rochester, NY|ssrn=2579510}} The goals of activist shareholders range from financial (increase of shareholder value through changes in corporate policy, financing structure, cost cutting, etc.) to non-financial (disinvestment from particular countries, adoption of environmentally friendly policies, etc.).{{cite web |title=Activist Investor Definition |url=https://www.carriedin.com/activist-investor |website=Carried Interest |accessdate=17 July 2015}}
See also
References
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