Mutual Aid

Comprehension

Before engaging in critical analysis of mutual aid as outlined by Spade, we must first make sure we understand what he is saying. Take the following questions and answer them in your own words. When doing so, try to limit the number of sentences you use and aim to explain these concepts succinctly. To double-check your work, or if you are truly stuck, you may visit the summary sections that address the question.

1. What is mutual aid and what makes it different from other forms of assistance? 

2. How does mutual aid relate to the concept of solidarity?

3. What are the ‘two big jobs’ of social movements, and what do they look like in action? For this question, think about how both of these jobs manifest in each of the case studies.

4. Describe the decision making process Spade recommends for mutual aid groups. Why is it important?

5. What are the four dangers and pitfalls of mutual aid? Where do these come from? Why are they so common? How can they be avoided and mitigated?

6. How can we effectively and sustainably “scale up” mutual aid networks to reach a point where everyone has what they need? How does this differ from governments scaling up?

7. When looking at organizations to get involved in, what sorts of qualities can you look for to determine if the organization in question is a mutual aid group as opposed to a charity?

Below, a Quizlet flashcard set to help you take note of key words from this study guide!