Boicote

Boicote is a protest tactic in which individuals or groups refrain from buying, using, or engaging with a person, organization, or country to pressure them to change policies, practices, or behavior. The aim is to create economic or reputational costs that motivate change while signaling moral or political disagreement.

Origin and usage: The term derives from the English boycotting, named after Captain Charles Boycott during the Irish Land League campaign of 1879–1880. In Portuguese and Spanish, the equivalents are boicote and boicot, respectively, reflecting the same underlying tactic.

History: Notable early campaigns include the Irish land agitation (late 19th century) and the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955–1956) in the United States. Later movements featured global anti-apartheid campaigns, as well as cultural and academic boycotts. In contemporary contexts, digital activism has popularized consumer boycotts and coordinated international campaigns such as those guided by the divestment and sanctions framework.

Forms and scope: Boicotes can be economic (refusing to purchase products or services), consumer-based, or aimed at divestment. They may also be cultural, academic, or diplomatic, targeting events, artists, institutions, or governments. Campaigns are usually organized by unions, civil society organizations, religious groups, or coalitions and can target a single entity or broader regimes or industries.

Effectiveness and criticisms: The impact varies widely. Boicotes can influence policy or corporate practices when the target is sensitive to market or reputational costs, but they can also harm workers, disrupt supply chains, or provoke backlash. Success often depends on clear goals, broad participation, and sustained public visibility.