The Loud Minority: Why Protests Matter in American Democracy

by Daniel Q. Gillion

The silent majority--a phrase coined by Richard Nixon in 1969 in response to Vietnam War protests and later used by Donald Trump as a campaign slogan--refers to the supposed wedge that exists between protestors in the street and the voters at home. The Loud Minority upends this view by demonstrating that voters are in fact directly informed and influenced by protest activism. Consequently, as protests grow in America, every facet of the electoral process is touched by this loud minority, benefiting the political party perceived to be the most supportive of the protestors' messaging. Drawing on historical evidence, statistical data, and detailed interviews about protest activity since the 1960s, Daniel Gillion shows that electoral districts with protest activity are more likely to see increased voter turnout at the polls. Surprisingly, protest activities are also moneymaking endeavors for electoral politics, as voters donate more to political candidates who share the ideological leanings of activists. Finally, protests are a signal of political problems, encouraging experienced political challengers to run for office and hurting incumbents' chances of winning reelection. An exploration of how protests affect voter behavior and warn of future electoral changes, The Loud Minority looks at the many ways that activism can shape democracy.

Genres: Politics, Political Science, History, Nonfiction, Sociology

240 pages, Hardcover

Published March 10, 2020

Reviews

[Jacopo Quercia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do protests matter? Do they have the power to sway elections? A more pressing question might be whether they still matter when COVID-19 and social distancing renders such public displays unsafe. 'The Loud Minority' by Dr. Daniel Q. Gillion presents such a convincing analysis of protest movements and their effects across nearly a century of US history that the answer to all three questions is "absolutely."

'The Loud Minority' is a refutation of Richard Nixon's appeal to the "silent majority," an unspecified but presumably dominant portion of Americans unaffected by counterculture and the Vietnam protest movement. Such divisive politics are openly practiced by Donald Trump and his supporters today with such fanaticism and threat to public safety that such practices should, in this reviewer's opinion, be considered fascist. How did the US transform into a government previously extant within the lunatic fringe of politics? According to Dr. Gillion's study, such influence was always within the reach of any loud group of Americans determined to amplify their voice and political influence through protests. Regardless of their politics, be they liberal or conservatives, Gillion shows that protest movements have had measurable effects on the US population and have swayed elections. In essence, protests serve as lightning-rods for voters in the United States: they rise enthusiasm, aid messaging, and boost voter turnout wherever they are held. The more frequent and well-organized they are, the more electoral impact they will make. Gillion tracks this across numerous protest movements in the United States from the 1940s to Black Lives Matter, showing how they moved the needle in elections from the federal to local level. This is essential reading for anyone working in US politics, and its relevance today cannot be overstated.

I highly recommend 'The Loud Minority' to all students and teachers of political science, political operatives, social activists, and Americans alarmed by the rise of intimidation, ignorance, and outright fascism in US politics. The armed protesters terrorizing state capitols across the country are affecting the 2020 vote, as are the rightfully-outraged citizens protesting the racial prejudice, inequality, and injustice that George Floyd's murder has tragically made clear across the nation. Dr. Gillion's analyses will show you how and why these protests matter in elections and what must be done to maximize their effectiveness.

5 stars. Please read this book and support your local bookstore by ordering it from them.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solids, quick read that protests aren’t alternatives to democratic process, but work through the democratic process (increase fundraising on issues, increase candidates who focus on those issues, increase voters who vote on those issues). Would be better as journal article for those not focused on subject. Hope this ends up as Atlantic article or something.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic. Such an interesting and informative read.

[Karen Bonuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This slim book has some useful insights into the power of protest. I wished there were more time spent on the excellent data presented.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have any doubt as to if, how, and why protests have a crucial impact on elections and policy, read this.

[Petty Lisbon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked learning about the impact of protests and how they inspire primary challenges.

[Allyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Josh Bramlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book pairs well with Tufekci's Twitter and Tear Gas in that it complements it while contradicting parts of it. Tufekci argues that modern social movements are generated