Advocacy vs. Activism: What’s the Difference?
The main difference between advocacy and activism is that advocacy aims to build relationships and work within existing frameworks to promote change whereas activism aims to challenge and change the system or power structures itself.
Before we move to more differences, let’s first understand Advocacy and Activism:
- Advocacy: Advocacy refers to the act of supporting or speaking in favor of a specific cause or issue.
- Activism: Activism involves taking direct action and working actively to bring about social, political, or cultural change.
Now, let’s get to Advocacy vs Activism:
Major differences between Advocacy and Activism
| Advocacy | Activism |
|---|---|
| Advocacy involves working within existing systems and channels to influence policies or public opinion. | Activism often challenges and disrupts existing systems to create change. |
| Advocacy can involve lobbying, education, and engaging with decision-makers. | Activism often includes protests, boycotts, civil disobedience, and grassroots organizing. |
| Advocates often work to influence policies and laws. | Activists aim to challenge and transform societal norms and structures. |
| Advocacy can be carried out by individuals or organizations representing a particular cause or interest. | Activism typically involves collective action, often driven by grassroots movements. |
| Advocacy often seeks to address specific concerns or rights related to a particular cause. | Activism can encompass broader social, political, or cultural change efforts. |
So, these are the main differences between the entities.
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