Petitioning

Petitions are a valuable campaigning tool in the political or opinion-forming process. A petition process involves collecting signatures, typically of as many people as possible or to a numerical target. This permits the signatories to express their opinion and to become involved in the issue. Signatories are thus made aware of an issue, whilst resulting petitions draw the attention of the parties they are aimed at. Those involved in gaining signatures become more committed, better informed and better able to argue their case. The effectiveness of petitions varies substantially, depending among others on the number of signatures collected and whether or not petitions are dismissed, quietly absorbed, or taken up by those they are aimed at.