“Basic roots” refers to a political movement led by small community-based groups and individual constituents. These movements rely on local volunteers and activism to build support. Politicians seek their support by adopting their cause. Grassroots campaigns focus on community issues and use various techniques to raise awareness. The phrase gained political connotations in 1912, and politicians often associate themselves with grassroots movements to gain voter support. Policies with grassroots support are more likely to succeed, and some organizations use astroturfing to mimic grassroots movements for their benefit.
“Base roots” is typically used to refer to a political movement led by small community-based groups and individual constituents rather than large parties or organizations. These movements tend to rely heavily on local volunteers and local activism to build support and momentum for the causes they believe in. Politicians who seek the movement’s support must adopt the movement’s cause, emphasizing the role of government as the true servant of the people.
Any grassroots campaign focuses on an issue that affects the community and sparks a passionate response. Organization takes place locally, often starting with small gatherings or informal parties. Activists can use petitions, letter writing campaigns, fundraising events, demonstrations, or a number of other techniques to raise awareness and build support.
The first recorded use of the phrase “basic roots” is attributed to Rudyard Kipling in 1901. In his novel, Kim, Kipling does not use the phrase in its modern political context, but gives it a more general meaning as a beginning or source. He says, “Until I got to Shamlegh I could meditate on the Course of Things, or trace the current roots of Evil.”
The phrase gained its most common political connotations a few years later. Senator Albert J. Beveridge was among the first to describe the will of the people in these terms, stating in 1912, “This party is from the grassroots.” Since then “basic roots” has been used primarily to describe political action, used only occasionally as Kipling originally intended.
Politicians are typically keen to be associated with grassroots movements or grassroots mentalities in general in an effort to gain general voter support. Opponents are often described as “out of touch”, more interested in gaining the support of wealthy supporters and special interest groups. They offer themselves as an alternative choice, eager to put people’s needs before corporations and political parties.
Policies considered to have basic support are typically more likely to succeed. Where this support is absent, organizations have sometimes attempted to fabricate something resembling a popular movement. This strategy, known as astroturfing, mimics the look of a real grassroots movement. It works by orchestrating the actions of special interest advocates who appear to be disparate members of the public. These campaigns may eventually garner some real community support, but it is typically the sponsoring group that benefits, rather than the general public.
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