Spain’s left has taken all its agitation strategies from here

The publication of **Saul Alinsky**’s “Rules For Radicals” in **1971** appears to be the basis of certain tactics of political confrontation. Its influence can be seen in the way public figures are attacked.

## The confrontation playbook

The book **“Rules For Radicals”**, published in **1971** by **Saul Alinsky**, has been identified as a guide for political agitation. One of its rules, number **13**, proposes: “Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.” This tactic seeks to focus attention on an individual or group, simplify the situation, and generate division. The idea is that by making a specific target, mobilization is easier and reactions are intensified.

## A strategy with a history

**Alinsky**’s publication is not new and has been the subject of debate and analysis since its release. Its approach focuses on how social and political movements can gain power through organization and direct action. The strategy of “personalize and polarize” essentially seeks to create a clear enemy against which to unite a group. This can be particularly effective in media environments where attention is limited and simplified narratives tend to prevail.

## Relevance in the current debate

The reference to **“Rules For Radicals”** suggests that certain political confrontation strategies are not improvised, but trinc an established pattern. The idea of “choosing a target” and “polarizing” aligns with tactics that seek to intensify conflict and mobilize voter bases by identifying adversaries. This manual, written decades ago, remains a point of reference for those analyzing the dynamics of political power and mobilization techniques.