Radical climate protests linked to increases in public support for moderate organizations

Markus Ostarek (), Brent Simpson, Cathy Rogers and James Ozden
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Markus Ostarek: Social Change Lab
Brent Simpson: University of South Carolina
Cathy Rogers: Social Change Lab
James Ozden: Social Change Lab

Nature Sustainability, 2024, vol. 7, issue 12, 1626-1632

Abstract: Abstract Social movements have the power to drive large-scale social change but the effectiveness of disruptive tactics in achieving this change is uncertain. To shed light on this debate, we conducted nationally representative surveys before and after a week-long disruptive campaign to block London’s M25 motorway (November 2022) by the protest group Just Stop Oil (n = 1,415). Our results suggest that increased awareness of a radical group as a result of a highly publicized non-violent disruptive protest can increase identification with and support for more moderate climate groups (here, Friends of the Earth) in the span of only 2 weeks. Our study provides new insights into the dynamics of social movements and the role of radical protest in driving change. The positive radical flank effect observed here suggests that non-violent radical actions may constitute a largely untapped strategic resource for moderate groups within the broader climate movement.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-024-01444-1

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