What impact has activism had in the United States? Does protesting change the course of public policy, or is the impact more abstract? Do activists who employ violence do more harm than good for their causes? Is activism more effective as a grassroots movement, or when it works with local governments? This book engages these questions from conflicting perspectives. Readers will benefit from seeing the key ideas and facts at play in the debate from multiple angles. The future of democracy depends on people having a say in decision making. Understanding democracy means understanding when to assist and when to resist.