Protest Inc.: The Corporatization of Activism 1st Edition

Protest Inc. by Peter Dauvergne and Genevieve Lebaron examines the corporatization of the activism in modern society. They insightfully point out that this process is not a “simple business take-over of activism”, but an example of capitalism’s power to slowly assimilate activism through the silencing of criticism and dissent. To support their argument, they highlight three processes that exemplify this trend: The securitization of dissent, the privatization of social life, and the institutionalization of activism.The authors look at various organizations, including the US Nature Conservancy, Greenpeace, and WWF, to show increasing interaction between markets and activism. Why? Because, in the capitalist model a noticeable, distinctive brand is important. You are likely to be noticed more if you have a memorable or honorable name, and are allied to a world-wide famous corporation. The problem with this partnership, they argue, is that it legitimizes the carbon footprint of corporations, as well as the increasing economic inequality that is pervasive in the United States.Despite its grim subject matter the book is not an indictment of activism. The authors recognize how different forms of activism are important, and have been successful in the past. Their goal is to highlight an “overall trend….where the agendas, discourse, questions, and proposed solutions of human rights, gender equality, social justice, animal rights, and environmental activist organizations increasingly conform with, rather than challenge, global capitalism.”

Most writing about non-governmental organizations, "global civil society" and popular protest sees these groups as playing a progressive, democratizing role, in contrast to privatizing and deregulating government policies and to the power of transnational corporations. Dauvergne and Lebaron shatter these illusions by pointing out how these groups not only are captured by business and government, but also mimic neoliberal approaches themselves. This critique is analogous to the critiques 50 years ago in the public policy field of the analysis of pressure and interest groups, where special interests came to be seen paradoxically as undermining rather than strengthening pluralism. Today, without effective ways of counteracting neoliberal hegemony, these groups are condemned to are reinforcing it.

This is a gloomy book and I guess rightly so, it is also gripping and full of demoralising statistics. I cannot fault its approach as it is fairly convincing, though I must admit to being previously unaware how much the context of 'activism' has changed in the past few years. I think the indispensable message of the book is fairly clear. As expressed in its last few sentences, "the rich are winning". The authors are concerned with what is happening to activism in general, and it is important to note that not all activists are drawn into the world of corporations, branding, and global markets. There are times and instants where grassroots actions continue, although their strength and influence seems lessened.The effects on the changing nature of activism can be seen by the impact of securitization of dissent. This in large part is the result of '9/11' tragedy, and is led by the US government. The trickling down effect of scrutiny on the actions of activists are increasingly monitored and constrained. Challenges to Establishment are blurred with security threats; this has led, for example, to a consolidation of powers to spy on, infiltrate, upset and arraign activist groups. Those Organisations/NGOs that ‘toe the line’ are the ones likely to obtain finance. For the ‘others’ – they are at risk of being isolated, even classed as eco-terrorists. For those that are Cooperative, 'safe', organisations there is the propensity for corporatisation; they may be rewarded, but not if they show signs of radicalism.For me this was an original and enthralling body of work. It provides us all with a much needed wake-up call about the creeping de-radicalizing power that is big business, and the pervasive way it has impacted activism in the contemporary world.

This has come along at almost the perfect time, where protests are getting more and more prolific and publicised throughout the world, and it's not two pages in until social media is mentioned for the first time as a monumental agent in this spread of consciousness of the activism of today. And not a few pages more pass until probably the most famous example of activism these days is mentioned: the Occupy movement It's also nice to see two authors of such great credentials, perfectly suited to the subject matter.The layout of the book is split into conventional chapters headed at the top of a page, with sub headings within each chapter after a line break, there are also subjects within these sub headings which are in italic; for example the sub chapter 'The Post-9/11 Crackdown on Public Protest has four sections within, breaking down this particular sub-section. All in all the format is very free flowing and accessible.Anyway, I've found this book to be suitable for the reader not necessarily well versed (like me) in the field of activism and the corporatization thereof, mainly because it's not just the bones of each that are explored, but the situations and circumstances surrounding them in different countries and how this is being seen by the masses and governments alike, with fascinating insights into the similarities It sustains interest throughout and provides a great insight into a very relevant part of our society today.

This is a gloomy book and I guess rightly so, it is also gripping and full of demoralising statistics. I cannot fault its approach as it is fairly convincing, though I must admit to being previously unaware how much the context of 'activism' has changed in the past few years. I think the indispensable message of the book is fairly clear. As expressed in its last few sentences, "the rich are winning". The authors are concerned with what is happening to activism in general, and it is important to note that not all activists are drawn into the world of corporations, branding, and global markets. There are times and instants where grassroots actions continue, although their strength and influence seems lessened.The effects on the changing nature of activism can be seen by the impact of securitization of dissent. This in large part is the result of '9/11' tragedy, and is led by the US government. The trickling down effect of scrutiny on the actions of activists are increasingly monitored and constrained. Challenges to Establishment are blurred with security threats; this has led, for example, to a consolidation of powers to spy on, infiltrate, upset and arraign activist groups. Those Organisations/NGOs that ‘toe the line’ are the ones likely to obtain finance. For the ‘others’ – they are at risk of being isolated, even classed as eco-terrorists. For those that are Cooperative, 'safe', organisations there is the propensity for corporatisation; they may be rewarded, but not if they show signs of radicalism.For me this was an original and enthralling body of work. It provides us all with a much needed wake-up call about the creeping de-radicalizing power that is big business, and the pervasive way it has impacted activism in the contemporary world.

Polity Press continues to go from strength to strength - this is another example of an excellently researched, balanced but radical look at the challenges for progress in today's society.The most impressive aspect of the book is that it is categorically not a polemic. The authors present research and evidence in favour of their argument that activism has been de-radicalised in recent decades, and explore some of the reasons for this. The approach is admirably balanced, exploring the reasons behind this de-radicalisation, and some of the benefits it may bring, as well as considering the costs of it.The one weakness in the authors' arguments are that they appear to accept as unproblematic the assumption that activists across the spectrum are intending to challenge capitalism. Throughout the book their criticism of the changing face of activism rests on the assumption that to achieve global justice and equity, activists must be aiming to challenge capitalism rather than working within its confines.I don't for a minute think the authors are wrong on this, but would like them either to have stated in the introduction that they were working on this assumption, or to have had a chapter exploring why activists need to take this approach. As it is, I think a reasonable response from, say, Oxfam or Komen for the Cure activists would be that they believe a more benign form of capitalism to be the best outcome for all, and are working towards this. I personally wouldn't agree that this is the case, but can see that it is a reasonable argument that the authors don't really engage with.Four stars, then, not five. But heartily recommended along with the rest of Polity Press' output.

PD is Professor of International Relations and Directot of the Liu Institute for Global Issues at the University of British Columbia and GL is Vice Chancellor's Fellow in Politics at the University of Sheffield. Since the crisis of 2008 there have been mass protests and riots across the world expressing discontent. This book is about how activist organisations are changing into corporations and NGOs are forming partnerships with the like of Exxon Mobil, Walmart and MacDonalds to advocate corporate friendly solutions. This important book highlights this little known trend and warns of the dangers of it.Rating 5 out of 5.

Protest Inc. is a broad-reaching and highly relevant book in today's world. As the radical activism and 'mind-bombing' of the 60's & 70's has faded away, activism or counter-movements are being increasingly diluted by the institutionalisation of their structure - even the very word activist has negative connotations today. For these organisations to be heard and have true influence it is necessary for counter-movements to have legitimate corporate entities (e.g. Amnesty International, WWF) and as the legitimacy of these movements grows, so does their funding requirements. Companies offering partnerships seem like the best way to achieve their respective goals, the net effect is the NGOs that partner with companies are lending their legitimacy to those companies at the cost of their integrity.Protest Inc. also highlights the increasingly blurred line between state's police forces and the military as police are increasingly equipped, trained & operated like a paramilitary force. These forces then treat protesters as rioters and act in ways that breach civil rights with increasing impunity. The book also highlights the alarming increase in legislation used to restrict civil freedom of assembly in the western world - detailing the exact pieces of legislation in the respective country (America - 2001 PATRIOT act, Canada - C-35, C-36 & C-42, the UK Terrorism Act 2000). This reduction of civil liberty is often hiding behind fear-inducing anti-terrorist rhetoric but having the net effect of increasing the right of the police to stop, search and detain members of the public at will with little to no repercussion.The book goes on to warn of the way that today's culture means we are living alone more frequently, in more segregated & fractured communities that reduce the power of any collectivism and public consensus of civil unrest, further strengthening the status-quo. Highlighting how today's culture means it is easier to engage in 'Slacktivism' - liking something on Facebook for example - rather than actually picking up the baton and fighting for a cause, allaying personal guilt of inaction without actually making any meaningful commitment. Protest Inc has great insight into the corporate involvement, endorsement and dilution of activism noting "The relentless ability of contemporary capitalism to commodify dissent & sell it back to dissenters" - Page 103. Well-meaning organisations such as Free Trade shift blame from companies, involved in the environmental destruction to begin with, on to the consumer as it is becomes our fault for not buying enough ethically sourced products - introducing the concept of 'Philanthrocapitalism'.It is not all doom & gloom however, despite the alarmist nature of some of the subjects it is an incredibly well-written and well-referenced read. It is not a call to arms to blow the whole system up and start again, but it is meant to be a warning shot across the bows that by participation in some of today's activism we are actually endorsing and reinforcing the inability to change the direction of things we are concerned about. For that reason, I think this should be a compulsory read for even the slightest of skeptics.I would like to finish with a quote from the book;"... we are arguing that the corporatization of activism is reinforcing the capacity of the world order to suppress and subsume social unrest and counter-movements. Corparatized NGOs and consumer activism stabilize and legitimize the structures of this world order, pulling anti-capitalist and anti-globalization activists into the mainstream, taming some, disillusioning others. Militarized police and intelligence agencies deal with those unwilling to moderate. The effect is to weaken grassroots activism and further enhance corporate power." - Page 136.Well-argued, bibliographed and highly recommended.