Caja de herramientas:

An interconnected web of the key strategies and tactics that have inspired people-powered victories & upended the status quo. Start anywhere and explore…

Principio

Avergüenza a las autoridades al hacer su trabajo

Avergüenza a las autoridades al hacer su trabajo

Soluciona un problema lo mejor que puedas con el fin de presionar a las autoridades para que ellas lo concluyan correctamente.

Principio

Buscar seguridad en las redes de apoyo

Buscar seguridad en las redes de apoyo

La creación de redes de apoyo nacionales o internacionales dispuestas a tomar medidas para prevenir o reaccionar a las amenazas en tu contra a veces puede ser una estrategia de autodefensa eficaz para los activistas amenazados.

Principio

Cambiar un nombre para cambiar el juego

Cambiar un nombre para cambiar el juego

Traduce teorías complejas a un lenguaje simple y cotidiano, para que las personas puedan discutir y confrontar con facilidad a los sistemas injustos y opresivos.

Principio

Capacitación

Capacitación

La capacitación (o entrenamiento) no es una distracción de la lucha; de hecho, es fundamental para cultivar tres elementos clave para el éxito de un movimiento social: la unidad, la planificación estratégica y la disciplina no violenta.

Principio

Conoce a tu comunidad

Conoce a tu comunidad

Cuanto más sabes acerca de la cultura y la psicología de tu comunidad, mayor será el éxito de tu campaña.

Principio

Construya la fuerza por medio de la repetición

Construya la fuerza por medio de la repetición

Un aspecto de las campañas, que muy a menudo, se pasa por alto, es el trabajo paciente de construir una base de apoyo capacitada y comprometida a través de la repetición de eventos comunes.

Principio

El cambio es la única constante

El cambio es la única constante

No es sólo el status quo el que tiene que cambiar, sino que el status quo dentro de nuestras propias cabezas. ¿Cómo podemos esperar cambiar el mundo sin cambiar también la forma como cambiamos el mundo?

Principio

El consenso es un medio, no un fin

El consenso es un medio, no un fin

Los dos valores de fundamento de la toma de decisiones consensuada, que son más importantes que la forma en sí misma, son el empoderar a cada persona a participar totalmente y, respetar y ajustar las diversas opiniones.

Principio

El desayuno es persuasivo

El desayuno es persuasivo

En lugar de intentar convencer a la gente de apoyar tu idea con argumentos directos, con frecuencia es más eficaz conectar la idea con un servicio directo que beneficie a tu público, y dejar que el ejemplo hable por sí solo.

Principio

Enfocarse en las necesidades básicas

Enfocarse en las necesidades básicas

En los regímenes represivos, el hecho de criticar directamente a las autoridades puede ser peligroso. Una forma de desafiar la legitimidad del régimen con menor riesgo es centrar la atención en las luchas económicas de todos los días, por ejemplo, los precios elevados.

Principio

Equilibrar el arte y el mensaje

Equilibrar el arte y el mensaje

Las acciones creativas requieren de un equilibrio prudente entre el arte y el mensaje. Para hacer que nuevas personas apoyen tu causa, necesitas no solo persuadirlos sino inspirarlos.

Principio

Escalar estratégicamente

Escalar estratégicamente

Cuando los movimientos se acaloran, existe una tendencia a volverse tan extremo que se pierde el contacto con la base. Los buenos líderes definen lo “extremo” de manera constructiva, y escalan sus campañas de manera estratégica.

Principio

Fomentar spacios más seguros

Fomentar spacios más seguros

Ya sea en nuestras reuniones o en nuestras calles, podemos avanzar en la lucha por la justicia creando espacios más seguros para todos, y retando las normas y las dinámicas de poder que crean espacios inseguros para algunas personas.

Principio

Mostrar y actuar en vez de hablar

Mostrar y actuar en vez de hablar

Utiliza metáforas, elementos visuales y acciones para expresar tu mensaje en lugar de predicar, intimidar o simplemente decir de alguna otra manera al público lo que piensas.

Principio

No te enamores de tus tácticas

No te enamores de tus tácticas

El hecho de que una acción haya tenido éxito una vez y sea un gran hit, no significa que la misma táctica tendrá éxito una y otra vez. Mientras planificas tu campaña, emplea tácticas creativas que tomen a tu objetivo por sorpresa.

Principio

Poner al objetivo en un dilema de decisión

Poner al objetivo en un dilema de decisión

Diseña tu acción para que tu objetivo se vea obligado a tomar una decisión, y que todas sus opciones disponibles resulten a tu favor. Esto se conoce como un dilema de decisión.

Principio

Que el fracaso te haga avanzar

Que el fracaso te haga avanzar

"Cae siete veces, levántate ocho", dice un proverbio japonés. Sólo cuando experimentes, ejecutes y repitas podrás aprender de tus errores y convertir tus historias de fracaso en lecciones valiosas.

Principio

Si la protesta se hace ilegal, haz de la vida diaria una protesta

Si la protesta se hace ilegal, haz de la vida diaria una protesta

Cuando la represión hace que la protesta sea muy riesgosa, convierte actos rutinarios — como manejar despacio, vestirse de negro, aplaudir o reírse — en protestas, que ridiculicen a las autoridades y las obliguen e entrar en dilemas de decisión.

Principio

Solidaridad, no ayuda

Solidaridad, no ayuda

Los líderes de base en todo el mundo están criticando cada vez más la ayuda externa como una nueva forma de dependencia neocolonial, e insisten en que la solidaridad, y no la ayuda, se convierta en el cimiento de las asociaciones entre las ONG y las bases.

Principio

¿Te gustaría tener algo de estructura en tu momentum?

¿Te gustaría tener algo de estructura en tu momentum?

El éxito proviene de la incorporación de la fuerza tanto de las protestas masivas como de la organización basada en una estructura, de modo que los estallidos de la revuelta generalizada complementan una organización a largo plazo.

Principio

Trae el problema a casa

Trae el problema a casa

Usando visuales creativos, contando narrativas poderosas y resaltando los costos locales, podemos de hacer un abstracto resumido que se ve lejano, personal, visceral y relevante.

Principio

Be careful with each other so we can be dangerous together

Be careful with each other so we can be dangerous together

Fighting for justice can be difficult and dangerous. When we treat each other with kindness and respect — and save our anger for our adversaries — we build the trust and support we need to take risks together.

Principio

Be the change you want to see in the world

Be the change you want to see in the world

We can inspire others by modeling in ourselves the future we hope to achieve. When we “walk our talk,” we also become more credible messengers for our ideas.

Principio

Beware the tyranny of structurelessness

Beware the tyranny of structurelessness

Sometimes the least structured group can be the most tyrannical. Create a participatory and welcoming environment by adopting a transparent decision making process and promoting accountability within the group.

Principio

Brand or be branded

Brand or be branded

Though the concept of branding has a negative connotation, especially among anti-corporate activists, it can, and indeed should, be used proactively to amplify your message and persuade your target audience.

Principio

Build people power, then negotiate

Build people power, then negotiate

While negotiation with the state can play a role in a social movement victory, that depends entirely on people’s stamina and determination to keep the pressure on in the streets, far from the negotiating table.

Principio

Create online-offline synergy

Create online-offline synergy

The Internet can’t replace on-the-ground action and community-building, but it can work in concert with it. The trick is to understand the strengths of each realm and strike the right synergy.

Principio

Define “hardcore” strategically

Define “hardcore” strategically

When movements heat up, there’s a tendency to become so extreme that you lose touch with your base. Good leaders will define that “extreme” in constructive ways, and escalate their campaigns strategically.

Principio

Delegate

Delegate

Things get done only when the task is clearly defined and on someone’s to-do list. Delegate!

Principio

Do the media’s work for them

Do the media’s work for them

Entice journalists to cover your issue by providing them with print and video materials that do half their job for them, while giving you more control of the story you’re trying to create.

Principio

Do your research

Do your research

Whether you’re scouting an action location, doing a power analysis of your political target, or reviewing previous episodes of a TV show you’re going to be on: Do. Your. Research.

Principio

Don’t dress like a protester

Don’t dress like a protester

If you look like a stereotypical protester, it’s easy for people to write you off, but if you look like the girl next door, people just might sympathize with you instead.

Principio

Don’t expect a concrete outcome from a symbolic action

Don’t expect a concrete outcome from a symbolic action

Concrete actions have measurable goals and are designed to have a direct physical impact. Communicative actions tend to have more symbolic goals. Know the difference and plan accordingly.

Principio

Enable, don’t command

Enable, don’t command

Whereas efforts led by commanding leaders are often dependent on that one person’s energy and presence, enabling leaders awaken the creative potential of all participants, helping to grow the broader cause.

Principio

Everyone has balls/ovaries of steel

Everyone has balls/ovaries of steel

A need to follow through on crazy ideas, and friends who will goad you on to do so, can take you far. You’re braver than you think!

Principio

Expose inequality with a viral gesture

Expose inequality with a viral gesture

A simple, defiant gesture (say, thousands of stone-broke people turning their pockets inside-out as they go about their day) can bring economic inequality to the surface and make oppressive institutions panic.

Principio

Give voice to those that can’t speak

Give voice to those that can’t speak

Trees can’t speak, right? Wrong! There are many creative ways to give voice to those that can’t speak — be it trees, animals, or archeological artifacts — so humans can hear their plight loud and clear.

Principio

Hope is a muscle

Hope is a muscle

Social movements run on hope. If you tell a story that resonates, pour your utmost efforts into empowering others to take action, and keep a positive and fun outlook, who says you can’t pull off the impossible?

Principio

Joy is a revolutionary force

Joy is a revolutionary force

Our journey towards a better world can—and often should—be a nurturing and joyful experience! Find pleasure in the process, as adrienne maree brown said: “Feeling good is not frivolous, It is freedom.”

Principio

Make new folks welcome

Make new folks welcome

The more the merrier! But if new folks are going to stick around, you’ll need to put work into making sure they feel welcome.

Principio

Make your group comfortable and your target uncomfortable

Make your group comfortable and your target uncomfortable

Master community organizer Saul Alinsky counsels activists to "Never go outside the expertise of your people" and "Whenever possible, go outside the expertise of the enemy."

Principio

Meet people where they’re at

Meet people where they’re at

Don’t expect people to come to you. It’s part of your job as an organizer to understand where people are at — not just politically, but culturally, psychologically, and even physically — and meet them there.

Principio

No one wants to watch a drum circle

No one wants to watch a drum circle

Participating in a drum circle is amazing, transformative, and fun. Watching a drum circle, on the other hand, is torture. Don’t ask people to watch you have fun — get them involved!

Principio

One no, many yesses

One no, many yesses

Key to building a diverse coalition is recognizing that we can advance many different “Yesses” (say, family farms, indigenous water rights, lower emissions) by uniting around one big “No” (Stop the Pipeline!).

Principio

Pick battles big enough to matter, small enough to win

Pick battles big enough to matter, small enough to win

Changemakers need to be ambitious, but not so unrealistically ambitious that we set ourselves up for dismaying failure. Set your sights on goals that are both significant and winnable.

Principio

Practice digital self-defence

Practice digital self-defence

To protect against digital surveillance and online attacks, activists should get comfortable with digital security tools and protocols.

Principio

Punch up, not down

Punch up, not down

Pranks can be cynical, lying, and punch down at the powerless (think James O'Keefe); or they can be joyous, ethical, and punch up at the powerful (think Yes Men). If you’re going to prank, be ethical about it.

Principio

Recapture the flag

Recapture the flag

We can’t deny that the symbols of one’s nation provide a meaningful feeling of social solidarity. To be effective as change agents, we need to engage, claim, and contest the meanings of these symbols.

Principio

Reclaim the pre-colonial

Reclaim the pre-colonial

The path towards freedom, justice, and wise ecological living may ask us to lean back on our past to recover — and give new meaning to — ways of life that existed before slavery, colonialism, and capitalism.

Principio

Say it with props

Say it with props

Using props will not only liven up a boring protest and turn it into something playful, but also help you make your message loud and clear.

Principio

Seek common ground

Seek common ground

To transform a political culture, we must seek out common ground with those we disagree with.

Principio

This ain’t the Sistine chapel

This ain’t the Sistine chapel

If the pursuit of perfection is undermining the effectiveness of your action or campaign, then do only what is strategically warranted, and save your sanity and energy.

Principio

The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself

The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself

What’s better than waging a campaign and winning? Not waging a campaign and still winning! You can do that by making a (credible) threat your opponent gives into without a fight (or even calling your bluff).

Principio

Timing is everything

Timing is everything

Timing is key to humour, symbolism, and strategy. The Zapatistas launched their 1994 revolt on the first day of NAFTA. Moments have meaning, movements have stages, and we must strike while the iron is hot.

Principio

Use organizing strategies that scale

Use organizing strategies that scale

Once your movement has a clear story, structure and strategy, you can scale up quickly by finding ways for people to start organizing using the resources already available to them in their daily lives.

Principio

Use the Jedi mind trick

Use the Jedi mind trick

The Jedi mind trick worked for Obi-Wan Kenobi, and it can work for you, too. Believe in yourself hard enough, and others will too. “Act like you belong,” and most people — even the police — will assume you do.

Principio

Use the law, don’t be afraid of it

Use the law, don’t be afraid of it

So you’ve received a threatening letter from a corporate lawyer. Congratulations!

Principio

Use the materials at hand

Use the materials at hand

By taking advantage of unexpected opportunities (say, a gaffe by your opponent) or making creative use of materials lying around (say, turning pots and pans into noisemakers), you can win the day on the cheap.

Principio

Use your radical fringe to shift the Overton window

Use your radical fringe to shift the Overton window

By strategically pushing the far edge of what is considered acceptable within a range of policy options, you can slide public opinion in your direction, making what was once fringe, seem like common sense.