[lbo-talk] WA Corporate Consultant Speaks

[Carrol Cox]

Activists fall into three basic categories: radicals, idealists, and 
realists. The first step is to isolate and marginalize the radicals. 
They're the ones who see inherent structural problems that need 
remedying if indeed a particular change is to occur. To isolate them, 
try to create the perception in the public mind that people advocating 
fundamental solutions are terrorists, extremists, fear mongers, 
outsiders, communists, or whatever. . . . The goal is to sour the 
idealists on the idea of working with the radicals. Instead get them 
working with the realists. Realists are people who want reform but don't 
really want to upset the status quo." -Consultant speaking to corporate 
executives, (quoted in Kim Bobo, Steve Max, and Jackie Kendall, 
Organizing for Social Change, 2001)

Quoted in Morgan, Chapter 7, "System Response: Generational Hype and 
Political Backlash"

Carrp;