There are four different roles activists and social movements need to play in order to successfully create social change: the citizen, rebel, change agent, and reformer. Each role has different purposes, styles, skills, and needs and can be played effectively or ineffectively.

One of the most common types of activism is demonstrations and protests. When people come together and rally around a united cause, it sends a strong message to the government that this is an issue the public cares about. Demonstrations can take lots of forms, from marching on the streets, public sit-ins, or picketing.