History shows us that peoples' movements are more likely to suc­ceed when they have unity among supporters, widespread participa­tion, strategic planning, and non­violent discipline. Unsurprisingly, movement opponents use agent provocateurs-fake activists work­ing undercover-to behave in counterproductive ways that undermine these four keys to success.

Drawing from international exam­ples, and an in-depth case study of the US Black Liberation Movement, this volume explores how agent provocateurs-and agent provoca­teur-like behavior-make movements smaller, weaker, and easier to de­feat. It also offers some ideas for how activists can inoculate their movements against such harms and increase their chances of success.

Steve Chase is a longtime organizer, educator, and writer who served as the manager of Academic Initiatives at the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict for four years, during which time he wrote this volume. He is currently the Assistant Director of Solidarity 2020 and Beyond, a solidarity network and community of practice for grassroots movement organizers in the Global South who are learning and applying the skills of advocacy, peacebuilding, and nonviolent resistance to win sustainability, rights, freedom, and justice.