Eco-Wars Political Campaigns & Social Movements

Can grassroots interest groups ever win the wars they wage in the political arena against big business in America? Single-issue factions that pose a threat to the equitable progress of political change are considered by many to have a success rate directly related to their alliance with wealthy, powerful corporations. The author asserts that viable strategies are available to environmental, food safety, animal rights, gun control and other organizations that seek to challenge business interests in the political arena. Using interviews with activists and industry representatives, and case studies, this text examines how social concerns interest groups confront powerful industries. Campaigns examined include an anti-biotechnology campaign against drug companies, an animal rights effort directed against the agricultural industry and a secondhand smoke campaign against tobacco companies.