ASSIGNMENT - INSTRUCTIONS
Today's society is, in some ways, a "social movement society" - meaning that there is a bewildering array of interest groups making competing claims about virtually everything, and often trying to mobilize popular support for their positions. On one hand there are genuine grassroots groups representing large numbers of people (but their sincerity doesn't always mean their claims are right!). On the other hand, there are industry groups representing powerful financial interests (but claims made by vested interests aren't always wrong!). As budding sociologists, we can use our understanding of power, organizations, and interests to help us understand whose interests are served by various kinds of claimsmaking and how to identify the most reliable sources of information.
In this assignment, I want you to focus on the concept of astroturfing. Sociologist Edward Walker writes about it in his 2010 piece in Contexts, "Industry-Driven Activism." In preparation for this assignment, read Walker's piece and an accompanying PRWatch.org article about a recent case of astroturfing involving the organization "Fix the Debt."
Walker's piece in Contexts can be found in the Content section of Carmen. The article on the astroturfing group "Fix the Debt" can be found here (you may need to download this document in order to click on the link): http://www.prwatch.org/news/2013/11/12307/astroturf-%E2%80%9Ccampaign-fix-debt%E2%80%9D-caught-ghost-writing-college-kids
Instructions: In a typewritten, double-spaced paper of no more than 3 pages (12-point type, normal margins):
1. Clearly define the concept of astroturfing.
2. Research an example of astroturfing on your own (don't use "Fix the Debt"). For the example you choose, explain to the best of your ability:
a. What industry or industry group was involved?
b. What activities or front groups did the industry group sponsor or create?
c. Why do you think the industry group pursued an astroturf strategy?
d. What was the public response? How effective was astroturfing in advancing the industry group's interests? Did this strategy have any downsides for the industry group? For the public?