Punk Rock Geek

"Activists fall into four categories:
RADICALS, OPPORTUNISTS, IDEALISTS, and REALISTS.

RADICALS want to change the system; have underlying socio/political motives [and] see multinational corporations as inherently evil....These organizations do not trust the... federal, state and local governments to protect them and to safeguard the environment. They believe, rather, that individuals and local groups should have direct power over industry. ... I would categorize their principal aims right now as social justice and political empowerment.

IDEALISTS are also hard to deal with. They want a perfect world and find it easy to brand any product or practice which can be shown to mar that perfection as evil. Because of their intrinsic altruism, however, and because they have nothing perceptible to be gained by holding their position, they are easily believed by both the media and the public, and sometimes even politicians. However, idealists have a vulnerable point. If they can be shown that their position in opposition to an industry or its products causes harm to others and cannot be ethically justified, they are forced to change their position.... Thus, while a realist must be negotiated with, an idealist must be educated. Generally this education process requires great sensitivity and understanding on the part of the educator.

OPPORTUNISTS and REALISTS are easier to manipulate. Opportunists engage in activism seeking visibility, power, followers and, perhaps, even employment. ... The key to dealing with [them] is to provide them with at least the perception of a partial victory. And realists are able to live with trade-offs; willing to work within the system; not interested in radical change; pragmatic. [They] should always receive the highest priority in any strategy dealing with a public policy issue.

Then, the three-step strategy to neutralize [activists]:
1) isolate the RADICALS;
2) cultivate the IDEALISTS and educate them into becoming REALISTS; then
3) co-opt the REALISTS into agreeing with industry.

If your industry can successfully bring about these relationships, the credibility of the RADICALS will be lost and OPPORTUNISTS can be counted on to share in the final policy solution."