boycott

A boycott is a form of protest in which individuals or groups refrain from buying, using, or dealing with a target, such as a person, company, or government, to pressure for change. It is usually nonviolent and voluntary. The term derives from Captain Charles Boycott, a 19th-century Irish land agent who was socially ostracized by landlords and tenants; the outcry led to "boycott" becoming a common noun.

History: The practice predates modern activism. In 19th-century Ireland, workers refused to work for Boycott; in the 1920s-30s, Mahatma Gandhi used nonviolent boycotts against British rule in India; the 1955-56 Montgomery Bus Boycott in the United States protested racial segregation; the 1980s international campaign against apartheid in South Africa relied heavily on consumer and diplomatic boycotts.

Types and mechanisms: Consumer boycotts target products or brands; association or labor boycotts target suppliers; international and diplomatic boycotts attempt to pressure governments. In the internet era, social media facilitates rapid organization and spreads information. Boycotts can be coordinated by NGOs, unions, or coalitions.

Effectiveness and criticisms: Outcomes vary; successful boycotts can lead to policy changes or corporate reforms, but impacts may be uneven and unintended consequences may affect workers or consumers. Critics argue they can oversimplify complex issues or punish unrelated parties. Legality varies by jurisdiction; some laws restrict or monitor boycott activity in specific contexts.