Direct Action, Strikes, Boycotts. How Do We Win Change?

Direct Action, Strikes, Boycotts. How Do We Win Change?

We face many crises in the world today. From the cost of living and housing, to existential threats around climate change and epidemics. These issues arise out of capitalism and a state that acts in the interests of bosses, landlords, and the wider capitalist class. 

Even under capitalism progressive and positive social change has been won. Social movements whether anti-racist, feminist, labour focussed, or pro-LGBT+ have employed a diversity of tactics to win change.

However, it begs the question, what actions are most effective and what should we advocate? Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil have popularised direct action tactics like roadblocks and lock-ons with often an emphasis on getting arrested. Boycotts are often advocated to oppose abhorrent practices and labour conditions of specific companies. The working-class and organised workers have both the interest and the leverage to win change. This has been most significantly done by strikes, workplace occupations, and effective picketing. And in many cases direct-action, boycotts and other actions were also employed.

What tactics should we advocate and why? Are there situations when we wouldn’t advocate a particular tactic?

Join Bristol Alliance for Workers’ Liberty to discuss these questions. These meetings are open to all. Discussion and disagreement encouraged.