This session discusses working with candidates and influencing them during the time of election. Upon learning the difference between issue-based advocacy and political party activism, students learn about the spectrum of challenges that advocacy groups face, from negative propaganda to state violence and repression. Students further examine how political parties and advocacy groups constantly struggle with an existential tension that challenges their relationship, i.e. political parties seek to win political office, whereas, advocacy groups are committed to realizing their ideals and demands. Students learn how political parties and advocacy groups can overcome such a fundamental challenge and work together. Students examine the above challenges in the contexts of Serbia, Venezuela, and Iran, and discuss what can be learned from their experiences.
This session introduces issue-based advocacy in four sections. The session opens through a few introductory...
