Title: How Protests Become Successful Social Movements
Headings: How Protests Become Successful Social Movements
Economics & Society
How Protests Become Successful Social Movements
Step 1: Define the change you want to see
Step 2: Shift the spectrum of allies
Step 3: Identify the pillars of power
Step 4: Seek to attract, not to overpower
Step 5: Build a plan to survive victory

Content: How Protests Become Successful Social Movements
Economics & Society
How Protests Become Successful Social Movements
It’s not about building a broad coalition. by
Greg Satell
and
Srdja Popovic
by
Greg Satell
and
Srdja Popovic
January 27, 2017
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Throughout history, social movements — small groups that are loosely connected but united by a shared purpose — have created transformational change. Women’s suffrage and civil rights in the U.S., Indian independence, the color revolutions in Eastern Europe, and the Arab Spring all hinged on the powerless banding together against the powerful. In these movements, protest has played an important role, highlighting the ability for ordinary citizens to make their disapproval heard. This type of activism is crucial for creating the groundwork for change. Consider the recent protests in Poland concerning an unpopular abortion law. They inspired millions to take further actions, including a women’s strike, that convinced lawmakers to back down. Still, protests like the massive global marches that took place on January 21, 2017, although crucially important for creating transformational change, are merely a first step. There are clear reasons why some movements languish and fade away while others succeed, and activists need to take history’s lessons to heart. To truly make an impact, a movement needs to follow five steps: