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When grassroots activism becomes a commodity

UCLA sociologist investigates ‘astroturf’ campaigns in new book

Coming at the height of public opposition to Wal-Mart’s labor practices and expansion into urban markets, the founding in 2005 of Working Families for Wal-Mart appeared to reflect a spontaneous groundswell of public support for the retail giant.

In fact, it was no conventional grassroots campaign. A newspaper reporter later discovered that the group’s lone founder was Wal-Mart and the campaign originated with a consultant hired by the company. (more…)

Congress Works Better Than Many Think, New Research Shows

By Guest PostDecember 15, 2012Politicscambridge university press, colorado boulder, conflict, congress, congressional productivity, democrat, factor, fiscal cliff, gridlocked institution, house, legislative agenda, Media, policy change, political friction, political science, president, republican, scott adler, senate, university, Washington

The perception of Congress as a gridlocked institution where little happens is overblown, according to new research by scholars at the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Washington.

And the way much of Congress’ work gets done is through self-manufactured crises like the “fiscal cliff,” say political science professors Scott Adler of CU-Boulder and John Wilkerson of UW.

“Yes, Congress has taken on a more partisan tone in recent decades,” Adler said. “We do hear a lot about the conflicts between Democrats and Republicans on key pieces of legislation. But we’re also seeing Congress exceeding public expectations. Congress does govern.” (more…)

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When grassroots activism becomes a commodity

Congress Works Better Than Many Think, New Research Shows