ES 375: Ecosocial Advocacy

STUDY QUESTIONS

Saul Alinsky, Rules for Radicals

 

PROLOGUE (xiii-xxvi)

1. Alinsky begins (xiii-xv) by giving his sense of the current situation, not only the political situation he opposes, but more importantly the problems of young activists. According to Alinsky, what are the different aspects of the situation for young radicals? Do you think that pertains to you? To other young activists today?

 

2. What does he yearn for? What does he say we are all seeking? Do you yearn for that? Do you think all people yearn for that? Do you think that is important for activism – in general and for you? What does he say is the “greatest question?” Do you agree? Why or why not? What does that question and answer have to do with activism?

 

3. What does he mean by “all values and factors are relative, fluid, and changing, and that it will be possible to ‘get it all together’ only relatively” (xv)? Do you agree? Why or why not?

 

4. What does he mean when he says that younger activists have failed to understand the art of communication (xviii)? Why does he say it? Why does he think it is disastrous? Do you agree with his views? Why or why not?

 

5. “As an organizer I start from where the world is. . .” (xix). What does he mean? Why would that be important? How does such a view affect activism? Do you start from there? Why or why not?

 

6. What does he mean by saying that our youth “demand revelation rather than revolution” (xx)?

 

7. What does he mean by “revolution must be preceded by reformation” (xxi)? Why does he say it? If that is true, what should activists do? What does that mean for the activism you are doing or envision? Do you agree with his views? Why or why not?

 

8. Alinsky gives traditional praise of democracy (xxiv). What is the significance of the individual in that ideal? Why does he say “the greatest enemy of individual freedom is the individual himself” (xxiv)? What is the “price of democracy” (xxv)?

 

9. What does he mean by losing your “identity” as a citizen (xxvi)? Why is that important? What causes it? Do you think Americans in general, your fellow activists, and you have that sense of identity? Why or why not? What does it take to maintain that sense of identity?

 

CHAPTER ONE: THE PURPOSE (3-23)

1. Why does Alinsky “detest and fear dogma”? How is dogma related to ideology? (4)

 

2. What does he mean when he says “Radicals must be resilient”? Why does he say that – what is he concerned about? How is this related to “a science of revolution” – and what does that mean? (6-7) {Note the Lincoln quote at the bottom of p. 7}

 

3. What is his “major reason” for the book? How do you respond to that attitude toward power? What does he mean by “all of life is partisan”? What is the significance of such a view – what implications does it have? Do you agree with his view? (9-10)

 

4. What does Alinsky say is the prerequisite for an ideology? What dilemma does that raise for “an organizer in and for an open society”? (10-11) What is the significance of his view – what implications does it have?

 

5. What is his relativism? Why does he say that relativism does not mean that an organizer is rudderless? Do you agree with his view about relativism? Why or why not? (11)

 

6. What is his “one conviction”? What is his “eternal search”? (11-12)

 

7. For Alinsky, what is the “basic requirement” for an organizer? What is his view of the nature and significance of morality in activism? Do you agree? Why or why not?

 

8. What is his view of complementarity and the nature of probability? What significance does it have for activism? (15-18)

 

9. What are the three classes, and where does he see social creativity coming from? Where do the “Do-Nothings” fit in here? (18-20)

 

10. What is his personal philosophy? What kind of optimism does he have? In what way is it NOT optimistic? How does he change the myth of Sisyphis? What is the significance of spiritual values for him? Do you see any contradictions between his statement about spiritual values and other statements he makes in this chapter? (21-23).

 

CHAPTER 7: TACTICS (abbreviated: 126-131)

Alinsky gives 13 rules for tactics.

1. How do you respond to each one? Do you agree or disagree, and why?

 

2. Are some of the rules more important than others – would you eliminate some of them? Why?

 

3. Do you believe that some rules are appropriate for only certain types of actions, but not others? If so, why?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Last updated: March 14, 2007