The history of activism is, in part, the history of a struggle between opposing worldviews. On one extreme is the idealist who hews to highest principles and refuses to compromise, regardless of efficacy, in service of radical transformation. At the other pole is the pragmatist who prioritizes progress, even if it is incremental or at the expense of ideological purity, and makes compromises behind closed doors to achieve any amount of progress.

This debate continues in this new golden era of grassroots politics, and it inevitably involves the foundations and professional advocates seeking to improve public policy.

Some advocates and foundations view their role as following the lead of grassroots activists who build a movement that may take years to emerge, and who may resist accountability for near-term policy change while in pursuit of radical transformation. Recent waves of mobilization have led many to contemplate how to channel this energy into effective advocacy to solve social problems. How can activists on the left and right move beyond rhetoric to support policy solutions? For example, what can protestors opposing white supremacy in Charlottesville, Boston, and other US cities do to achieve true racial justice?...