Table of Contents >
Chapter 31. Conducting Advocacy Research >
Section 6. Demonstrating Economic Benefit or Harm >
Demonstrating Economic Benefit or Harm |
Tools & Checklists | Contributed by Phil Rabinowitz Edited by Val Renault |
Checklist
Here you will find a checklist summarizing the important points of the section.
What do we mean by economic benefit and harm?
__ You divide economic consequences into community economic consequences and commercial economic consequences.
__ In looking at community economic consequences, you consider both money issues, such as the community's ability to attract business, and other issues, such as:
- Job opportunities.
- Health issues.
- Quality of life.
- Opportunities for children.
- Cultural life.
- Expenses.
- The civic climate.
In looking at commercial economic consequences, you consider both money issues, such as tax breaks for new businesses, and other issues, such as:
- Good schools.
- Job training or skills training programs.
- Environmental preservation.
- Pollution.
Why should you demonstrate economic benefit or harm?
You demonstrate economic benefit or harm because:
__ Economic arguments are the most powerful for most people and organizations.
__ Economic issues affect everyone in the community.
__ Economic arguments are usually straightforward and realtively easy to understand.
When should you demonstrate economic benefit or harm?
You use economic arguments when:
__ You are advocating for a new law or change of policy.
__ You are opposing a new law or change of policy.
__ You are advocating for an action or policy that has clear economic benefits.
__ You are opposing an action or policy that has clear economic drawbacks.
__ Your advocacy involves controversial issues.
__ You are trying to alert the public to the importance of an issue.
__ You are engaged in community planning.
How do you demonstrate economic benefit or harm?
__ You do the research.
__ You determine the short- and long-term economic consequences of the action or policy in question.
__ You analyze those consequences.
__ You make the economic connections.
__ You define your audience.
__ You frame and deliver your advocacy message with the audience in mind.