Following on LaFeminista’s excellent recommendation of "Indignez-vous!"(Become outraged) by Stéphane Hessel, I’ve deciced to post some mini-reviews of resources I think should be in every radical’s library. Every item provides tools for action, messaging, and/or insights into the workings of the institutions we need to change.
Please feel free to add to the list.
Action:
The incomparable Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals. Online preview here This is a practical guide to how to take power away from those who have it. The essential premise is that the Have’s advantage is a lot of money; their disadvantage is few people. The Have-Not’s are in the opposite situations. So Alinsky provides examples and guides on how to use the advantages of people over money. Most are easy to do, many absolutely hysterical, and all effective. See the O’Hare Airport Shit-In. (yes, you read that right. No spoilers here though, you’ll have to read the book)
On messaging
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. by Robert Cialdini. This is the single most valuable book I have read on how to persuade and how to avoid being persuaded. Many of the most valuable keys to building effective messages are in this book. See also:
Yes! 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive, by Noah J. Goldstein; Steve J. Martin; Robert B. Cialdini and subscribe to the free Inside Influence Report.
Working Psychology. The site of another great influence researcher, Kelton Rhoads. Worth visiting if only for the free and detailed online "Introduction to Social Influence."
Don't Think of an Elephant!: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate--The Essential Guide for Progressives, by George Lakoff. Lakoff specializes in debate framing for progressives. The most important lesson you can pick up from this book is that the winning frame wins the debate. Republicans know this: that’s why they have their own language specialist, Frank Luntz , turn “oil drilling” into “energy exploration”. Lakoff is just as good, turning “higher taxes” into “paying your dues” examples abound. See also: Cognitive Policy Wonks and The Progressive Strategy Handbook Project .
Frank Luntz: everything he’s written. He's a conservative message master, and you have to know the enemy. Remember the great scene in Patton, when the victorious general shouted: “Rommel! You magnificent son of a bitch! I READ YOUR BOOK!”
Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts, by Tavris and Aronson Key takeaway: Never attack a movement's members, always attack its leaders.
Cognitive dissonance (the academic theory, not the common usage) suggests that attacking the supporters may actually increase their level of commitment.
It works like this: Say someone has two contradictory ideas: "I smoke" and "Smoking is bad for me". This causes discomfort, which must be resolved. Unfortunately, it is usually resolved in an ego- protecting way, so you wind up with something like: "Smoking isn't bad for me" instead of "I'm stupid to be smoking and should quit".
If we make fun of a Tea Party supporters, they hold the following ideas": I like my candidate's ideas" and "All these people say the ideas are crazy". Well, no matter what the evidence for the lunacy, that's likely to resolve into "the ideas are right" instead of "I made a mistake". This is particularly true if they see criticisms as hostile.
On the other hand, if a supporter holds the following ideas "I like this candidate" and "this candidate just said that s/he is going to screw me personally ", the supporter is more likely to question the candidate.
The Social Animal, by Elliot Aronson. The introduction to social psychology, necessary for any real understanding of how groups of people (e.g. voters) act under different circumstances. Essential for any real understanding of the human nature that propels politics.
Making News:
Making the News: A Guide for Activists and Nonprofits, By Jason Salzman. This is a great guide to the kind of activism that makes the mainstream media, something we have to do in order to be a visible presence. Our champions will be more likely to support us if we get the kind of coverage the Tea Party gets. Funny and effective.
Crowdsourcing Investigative Journalism Global Investigative Journalism Network.
The Opposition Research Handbook: A Guide to Political Investigations, 3rd Edition. Get the dirt on the bad guys, and have actual factsto back you up. Amazing idea.
Upset that investigative journalism is disappearing? Here's something you can do: contribute to the Fund for Investigative Journalism
Check here some of the incredible stories made possible by the fund. Also, for great news, see the Center for Investigative Reporting, ProPublica: Journalism in the Public Interest, not to mention Reader Supported News, from a Founder of Truthout.
Guerrilla Marketing has business tactics that can be used to generate publicity for political causes. The best thing about them is that they are very cheap.
The next two are guides on how to win elections. Should tell you if your candidate has a clue. Even better, use them to run for local office:
The Campaign Manager: Running and Winning Local Elections, By Catherine Shaw
How To Win A Local Election,by Lawrence Grey The
Opposition Research Handbook: Guide to Political Investigations
Understanding the system:
Congress:
The following three books will give you one of the best possible views into the house of Representatives as a human institution governed by personal interaction and relationships.
The last book is particularly important: Phil Burton was possibly the most powerful no-holds-barred liberal politician in the pre-Gingrich Democratic Majority. Utterly uncorruptable and absolutely brilliant, he specialized in coalition building that no one could believe. He one bragged that he "could deliver 200 votes to make dogshit the national food".
While vulgar, his ideals and genius make him a role modle for liberal who want to start kicking ass.
Man of the House: The Life and Political Memoirs of Speaker Tip O'Neill
The Ambition and the Power: The Fall of Jim Wright : A True Story of Washington
A Rage for Justice: The Passion and Politics of Phillip Burton
Corporate power:
Chomsky.Info Many of Noam Chomsky’s insightful and frightening analyses of the patters of anti-demcratic behavior in the US and abroad. By recognizing these patterns, you can prepare for the next instance.
Robert Newman’s History of Oil. An incredibly well researched and hysterically funny docu/stand-up about the cause of some of the worst tradjedies in human history. Thanks to GreyHawk for recommending this.
To see how the combined direct costs of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars affects you see the National Priorities Project's costofwar.com and select your state and city.
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