agitators

An agitator is a person who seeks to arouse public opinion and mobilize others to take political, social, or economic action. The term is commonly used to describe activists who organize, persuade, and rally supporters to pursue a cause. A second, unrelated meaning refers to an apparatus that stirs or shakes a liquid, keeping its contents in suspension or promoting reaction; for example, in industrial or household equipment, an agitator may be a paddle or blade driven by a motor.

From Latin agitare, meaning to drive or stir, the noun agitator has long been used to describe someone who seeks to incite action or unrest. In historical contexts it has often carried a charged connotation, signaling a broker of controversy rather than a neutral advocate.

In labor movements and political campaigns, agitators have sought to raise awareness, organize strikes, and push reforms. The label can be neutral or pejorative, depending on perspective. Some governments and authorities describe agitators as troublemakers or subversives, while supporters frame them as organizers or advocates.

Common methods include speeches, pamphlets, demonstrations, canvassing, and online campaigns. The impact of agitation depends on social conditions, public sentiment, and reactions from institutions; while it can spur reforms and greater participation, it can also provoke opposition or repression.