Words / B2

AKT-iv-iz-uh-m/ˈæktɪvɪzəm/

Activism is the use of campaigning and public action to push for political or social change (usually uncountable): climate activism; political activism. An activist is the person; protest is a single action; lobbying is the parliamentary twin. Date the activism in the citizenship source, then the Act it sought. Mix-up: activism vs activity; active; do not write activism for a slogan with no named campaign or statute.

Meaning

The use of campaigning and public action to push for political or social change (usually uncountable).

Examples

• “Date the activism in the citizenship source, then the Act it sought, not a protest slogan.”
• “Student activism featured in the campus minutes, which is the organised-campaign sense — still name the motion.”

Good to know

climate / political / student activism; an activist. Close: campaigning / protest / lobbying. Trap: activity / a slogan with no Act. Citizenship, history, and news. Campaigning to change law or policy — name the statute or the motion.

Near in meaning

campaigning, protest, advocacy

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