How Different Forms of Activism Are Reshaping Europe Today
Political activism in Europe is taking on increasingly varied and sometimes difficult-to-distinguish forms. The boundaries between social movements, associations, pressure groups, and political parties are blurring. A new classification helps to better understand this diversity by identifying six main logics of engagement.
The first is civic activism. It focuses on universal causes such as environmental protection or fundamental freedoms. Driven by a sense of justice and collective responsibility, it seeks to influence institutions for the common good. In Eastern Europe, it draws its roots from struggles for democracy, while in Western Europe, it continues the post-materialist movements that emerged in the 1970s.
Transactional activism is based on stable relationships between organizations and decision-makers. Environmental NGOs or human rights advocacy groups are examples. Their strength lies in their expertise and ability to engage in dialogue with public authorities, although this approach can distance them from ordinary citizens.
Expressive activism emphasizes the affirmation of values and alternative lifestyles. It manifests through individual or collective actions, such as boycotting brands or creating autonomous zones. Here, the goal is less about changing laws than living according to one’s convictions and setting an example.
Advocacy activism represents the interests of specific groups, such as unions or professional associations. It mobilizes around concrete demands, often related to working conditions or sectoral rights. This type of action can also serve as a springboard for broader claims, such as a global critique of the economic system.
Exclusionary activism, on the other hand, limits its benefits to a restricted circle. It can involve local struggles against unwanted projects or identity movements that refuse openness to other groups. Some far-right factions use it to promote a closed vision of society.
Finally, populist activism is characterized by its rejection of elites and its desire to speak in the name of the “people.” It does not seek to negotiate with institutions but to replace them. It can emerge from the grassroots or be orchestrated by leaders seeking legitimacy.
These different forms of activism reflect major developments. Traditional organizations are losing ground to more flexible and individualized initiatives. Moral motivations, such as indignation at an injustice, are becoming a powerful driver of engagement. Digital tools facilitate mobilization without requiring formal membership.
Hybridization between these logics is common. A single person may participate in a climate protest, support an NGO, and campaign within a political party. This complexity shows that contemporary activism can no longer be confined to narrow categories. It adapts to the challenges of societies in transition, where expectations of democracy and political representation are profoundly changing.
References and Sources
About This Study
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11186-026-09689-9
Title: From civil society to populism. Mapping a typology of political activism in Europe
Journal: Theory and Society
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Authors: Dániel Mikecz