A worksheet with a table and questions titled 'Factors Shaping Strategic Choices'. JASS logo on top right. There are two columns and 8 rows. Text in the first column reads 'Context and History What are the most important aspects of your analysis of power dynamics in the context? How does history shape this context in ways that you need to be aware of? Civic Space What degree of civic space exists? What openings exist that you can take advantage of? Are there any spaces you can claim even if not intended for your use? What are the risks? Moment What political/ economic/ social dynamics exist that could create opportunities to mobilise and exercise power? What are the constraints and risks in the current moment? Entry Points What issues and entry points might be most effective? What openings and opportunities exist to mobilise around your agendas? What risks or obstacles? Narrative and Norms What are the narratives that dominate public debate? What beliefs and norms (forms of invisible and systemic power) do they reinforce and legitimise? What is the impact? What narratives, ideas and other cultural interventions are your organization or other social movement groups invoking, creating and promoting? Media and Freedom of Expression What is the degree of freedom of expression and media? What level of capacity do you have to strategically use the media - mainstream, progressive platforms, social media, etc? What opportunities and risks exist in relation to media access and coverage? What kinds of surveillance and censorship is present in our context? Capacity, Resources, and Reach What organisational capacities, resources, and relationships (e.g. members, allies) can you mobilise? How much alignment and commitment can you count on from your allies and members? What are the risks and challenges in this area?' The 2nd column is blank and to be filled out to answer the questions in column 1. The heading for column 2 reads 'Considerations Openings and opportunities Challenges and risks'.

Factors to Consider when Shaping Strategic Choices

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Introduction

Factors and questions to consider when shaping strategic choices in developing your campaign strategy. Factors are the trends, forces, and questions to consider in making strategic choices.

The choice and mix of strategies are shaped by many factors unique to every place, people, moment, set of issues and organisations. Careful (power) analysis of all of these determines the pathways for contesting and changing power. – Source

The factors below are from the JASS Power Guide. There is also a handout and an activity to explore as a group.

Factors to Consider

Context and History

  • What are the most important aspects of your analysis of power dynamics in the context?
  • How does history shape this context in ways that you need to be aware of?

Civic Space

  • What degree of civic space exists?
  • What openings exist that you can take advantage of?
  • Are there any spaces you can claim even if not intended for your use?
  • What are the risks?

Moment

  • What political/ economic/ social dynamics exist that could create opportunities to mobilise and exercise power?
  • What are the constraints and risks in the current moment?

Entry Points

  • What issues and entry points might be most effective?
  • What openings and opportunities exist to mobilise around your agendas?
  • What risks or obstacles?

Narrative and Norms

  • What are the narratives that dominate public debate?
  • What beliefs and norms (forms of invisible and systemic power) do they reinforce and legitimise? What is the impact?
  • What narratives, ideas and other cultural interventions are your organization or other social movement groups invoking, creating and promoting?

Media and Freedom of Expression

  • What is the degree of freedom of expression and media?
  • What level of capacity do you have to strategically use the media – mainstream, progressive platforms, social media, etc?
  • What opportunities and risks exist in relation to media access and coverage?
  • What kinds of surveillance and censorship is present in our context?

Capacity, Resources, and Reach

  • What organisational capacities, resources, and relationships (e.g. members, allies) can you mobilise?
  • How much alignment and commitment can you count on from your allies and members?
  • What are the risks and challenges in this area?

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