Resource Type: Social Science Research

Protesters are more likely to succeed if they are perceived as a diverse group, if they have a unified message, and if the number of protesters is high. The factors that influence the public are slightly different to factors that influence policymakers: the public is much more concerned about the worthiness of protestors, while policymakers are more influenced by the numbers of protestors and the diversity of groups present. Multiple studies indicate that peaceful protesters are more likely to persuade the public than violent protesters. The political context in which a protest takes place is also relevant: there is some evidence that protesters are more likely to achieve their aims if they highlight an issue about which public opinion is already on their side, and that they are more likely to have an influence at the early stages of the legislative process rather than the later stages.

This workshop on combating apathy and powerlessness for the RE-AMP Network’s current peer learning circle covered what social science is telling us about the root causes of apathy and ways to move people toward hope, and how to combat sentiments among supporters like “My actions don’t matter.”