Alternative Action Organizations: Social Solidarity or Political Advocacy?

Marco Giugni,Maria Grasso

doi:10.1177/0002764218768855

Marco Giugni, Maria Grasso

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1177/0002764218768855

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Abstract

This article investigates the involvement of alternative action organizations in three forms of political advocacy in an attempt to gauge their degree of politicization. These forms can be understood as representing three different ways of making political claims: by raising public awareness with respect to a given cause or issue, by trying to influence the policy maker through “insider” lobbying activities, and by protesting in the streets as “outsiders.” Our findings show strong cross-national variations in all three forms of political activities, although not always following a consistent pattern. They also suggest that there is a relationship between the severity of the economic crisis and the form of advocacy. Most important, our analysis suggests that the politicization of alternative action organizations depends both on certain internal characteristics such as their degree of formalization and professionalization, as well as their thematic focus, and the scope of their activities, and on the broader context in terms of economic crisis, austerity policies, and political opportunities. As regards the latter, we find an impact especially on lobbying and protesting.

Highlights

This article investigates the degree of politicization of alternative action organizations (AAOs) during the economic crisis in Europe
We aim to examine whether and to what extent these forms of advocacy are associated with certain characteristics of AAOs such as their degree of formalization and professionalization, their focus on economic rather than other goals, and their scope, as well as to how they are channeled through the broader context of the economic crisis, austerity policies, and political opportunity structures
Here we examine the impact of austerity policies as opening up or closing down opportunities for AAOs to get involved in political advocacy

Summary

Introduction

This article investigates the degree of politicization of alternative action organizations (AAOs) during the economic crisis in Europe. AAOs can be defined as collective bodies which organize collective events carrying out alternatives to dominant socioeconomic and cultural practices with visible beneficiaries and/or participants and claims on their economic and social well-being, including basic needs, health, and lifestyles. It is not clear to what extent they can be considered as political actors. On one hand, they engage in a wealth of activities aimed at providing services for specific populations in need. They often engage in politically oriented activities. AAOs have both a social solidarity dimension and a political action dimension

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