grassroots politics
Local citizen activism
Grassroots politics is political activity organized by ordinary citizens rather than party leaders, wealthy donors, or professional operatives.
It emphasizes local participation—door-to-door canvassing, community meetings, small donations from many contributors.
The term evokes organic growth from the ground up: a grassroots campaign, grassroots organizing.
Grassroots efforts may challenge established power structures or work within them to build support from the bottom.
- protest marchesOrganized walking demonstrations
- neighborhood associationLocal homeowners' collective body
- voter registration drivesEfforts to sign up electors
- get out the voteEffort to boost turnout
- ballot initiativesVoter-decided policy questions
yard signs · volunteer networks · mutual aid · petitions · civic engagement · local chapter · municipal councils · sit-ins · direct action · boycotts · civil disobedience · public consultations · awareness campaigns · feminist activism · media outreach · zoning boards · public forums · town hall meetings
grassroots politicsmachine politics
Corrupt party-controlled governance
grassroots politicsastroturfing
Disguised sponsored advocacy
manufactured consent · corporate lobbying · front groups · influence peddling
grass, grassy, grassland, grasslands, grasses, roots, rooted, rooting, rootless