Saul Alinskey’s Rules for Radicals
1. “Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you
have.” Power is derived from 2 main sources – money and people. “Have-Nots”
must build power from flesh and blood.
2. “Never go outside the expertise of your people.” It results
in confusion, fear and retreat. Feeling secure adds to the backbone of anyone.
3. “Whenever possible, go outside the expertise of the enemy.”
Look for ways to increase insecurity, anxiety and uncertainty.
4. “Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules.” If the
rule is that every letter gets a reply, send 30,000 letters. You can kill them
with this because no one can possibly obey all of their own rules.
5. “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.” There is no defense.
It’s irrational. It’s infuriating. It also works as a key pressure point to
force the enemy into concessions.
6. “A good tactic is one your people enjoy.” They’ll keep doing
it without urging and come back to do more. They’re doing their thing, and will
even suggest better ones.
7. “A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag.” Don’t
become old news.
8. “Keep the pressure on. Never let up.” Keep trying new things
to keep the opposition off balance. As the opposition masters one approach, hit
them from the flank with something new.
9. “The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing
itself.” Imagination and ego can dream up many more consequences than any
activist.
10. "The major premise for tactics is the development of
operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition." It
is this unceasing pressure that results in the reactions from the opposition
that are essential for the success of the campaign.
11. “If you push a negative hard enough, it will push through
and become a positive.” Violence from the other side can win the public to your
side because the public sympathizes with the underdog.
12. “The price of a successful attack is a constructive
alternative.” Never let the enemy score points because you’re caught without a
solution to the problem.
13. “Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize
it.” Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after
people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions.
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