Transcript A PowerPoint presentation summarizing the major points in the

Studying the Opposition
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
What does it mean to study your
opponents?
• Not every community issue will have
opponents.
• Opponents may be at least as powerful as you.
• Gathering information about your opponents
can help determine your strategy and tactics.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
What will you gain from studying your
opponents?
• Studying your opponents can give you the
following benefits:
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Up-to-date knowledge of the opponent's positions on the issue.
What he, she, they, or it gains from taking the line.
Strategies and tactics they have used in the past.
Where your opponents are vulnerable and where you’re
vulnerable to them.
• The fuel to refine your arguments, your message, and your
strategy.
• It will help to identify the moral and ethical high ground, if there
is one.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
How can you use this knowledge?
• To identify potential problems early on.
• To find a common ground as the basis for
negotiations.
• To develop more effective counter-arguments as
well as more successful strategies and tactics.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
When should you study your
opponents?
• Studying your opponents is not a one-time deal,
it's an ongoing process.
• Your opponents, and the nature of their
opposition, are likely to change over time.
• Your response may need to change as well.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
How should you study your
opponents?
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Develop an investigation plan.
Gathering the information.
Published sources of information.
Think like your opponents.
Use the information.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
How far should you go?
• Ethical issues can arise when you are studying
your opponents.
• What are the boundaries of what is
permissible, and how do you judge?
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
In Summary
• If you're running an advocacy campaign, you
need every edge you can get.
• By doing a little bit of digging, you can uncover
information about your opponent that will
help you meet their strengths, exploit their
vulnerabilities, understand their position, and
possibly even negotiate with them.
• The end result for you is a stronger, more
focused advocacy campaign.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas