Rules for Revolutionaries by Becky Bond & Zack Exley Summary

Rules for Revolutionaries outlines transformative strategies for grassroots activism, drawing from Becky Bond and Zack Exley’s experiences in Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign. It advocates for "Big Organizing," emphasizing anti-racism, decentralized volunteer networks, and small-donation funding. Key concepts include using technology for real-time communication, centralized planning with distributed execution, and building inclusive movements led by marginalized communities.

This book is essential for activists, political organizers, and social change advocates seeking scalable strategies. It’s particularly valuable for those interested in merging technology with grassroots efforts, challenging traditional advocacy models, or learning from progressive campaigns like Bernie Sanders’ 2016 bid.

• Anti-racism as core: Movements must prioritize racial justice and empower marginalized leaders.
• Distributed organizing: Centralized strategy paired with decentralized volunteer action.
• Small-donor funding: Reject corporate donors to maintain integrity and grassroots support.
• Technology-driven outreach: Use tools like mass texting and virtual meetings to amplify impact.

The book critiques Saul Alinsky’s incrementalist approach, advocating instead for ambitious, large-scale mobilization. Unlike Alinsky’s focus on negotiation, Bond and Exley emphasize rapid expansion through volunteer-led efforts and digital tools to create systemic change.

Technology enables real-time coordination, mass communication, and scalable volunteer management. The Bernie Sanders campaign used customized apps for 75 million calls and 8 million texts, demonstrating how digital tools can amplify grassroots power without sacrificing human connection.

The book argues movements should rely on small donations rather than wealthy donors. This approach builds trust, ensures accountability to supporters, and avoids co-option by elite interests—a key reason Sanders raised $228 million from 2.8 million contributors.

Some argue its focus on large-scale campaigns may overlook local, community-based strategies. Critics also note the Sanders campaign’s ultimate loss, though supporters counter that it shifted political narratives and inspired later progressive wins.

Bond’s decade as CREDO Mobile’s political director and her role architecting Sanders’ volunteer network provide real-world validation. Her expertise in merging activism with tech-driven solutions shapes the book’s pragmatic yet visionary tone.

• “Fighting racism must be at the core of the message to everyone”: Highlights anti-racism as non-negotiable.
• “The revolution will be funded—by small donations”: Rejects corporate influence in movements.

This framework pairs clear strategic goals from leadership with flexible volunteer execution. For example, Sanders’ team provided scripts and targets but let local groups customize outreach tactics—balancing coherence with adaptability.

It advocates elevating people of color and immigrants to leadership roles while encouraging white allies to mobilize within their communities. This ensures movements reflect the populations they serve and avoid tokenization.

Yes! Its principles apply to any cause needing mass mobilization, from climate action to labor rights. The focus on inclusive storytelling, scalable systems, and authentic engagement offers blueprint for diverse movements.