Basic Information
Astroturfing refers to founding and supporting political groups which appear to be spontaneous "grassroots" expressions of popular will, but which are in reality founded and funded by some corporation or other organization as an instrument of political influence.
Astroturfed demonstrations can often be identified by the presence of large numbers of identical, professionally printed banners (genuine grassroots groups tend to have a lot more home made, 'unique' banners or smaller numbers of printed ones), suspicously well rehearsed songs and chants (unless they're a minor variation on an already popular song), lack of "grouping" when the rally is idle (astroturfed rallies will tend to be composed of people who don't know each other whereas grassroots ones will often be based around local networks and friendship groups), large quantities of transport from the same provider and issued refreshments. Of course rallies organised by professional 'mass movements' like trade unions have many of the same characteristics and this may provoke questions about what is and isn't astroturfing.
Sources
Game and Story Use
- Astroturf organizations can be very effective and frustrating villains for the PCs, especially if they oppose something the PCs do or support, or vice versa.
- It doesn't help that most Astroturf organizations contain plenty of members who genuinely believe in their "cause".
- And conversely, it provides a very useful label for an establishment trying to marginalise a genuine movement … telling grass from astroturf is harder that you think … and de-legitimising dissent is far from being a modern disease.
- Also, what starts off as an artificial meme can become a popular movement, even if that is not what the creators intended.
- Now there's a campaign hook for you - a strawman enemy created by a government that transforms into a real opposition.
