--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: No issue can be negotiated unless you…" description: "\"No issue can be negotiated unless you first have the clout to compel negotiation.\" — Saul Alinsky" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e7/saul-alinsky-3048_clout_no-issue-can-be-negotiated-unless-you-fi_1330510.png" --- # No issue can be negotiated unless you first have the clout… ![“No issue can be negotiated unless you first have the clout to compel negotiation.” quote by Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e7/saul-alinsky-3048_clout_no-issue-can-be-negotiated-unless-you-fi_1330510.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e7/saul-alinsky-3048_clout_no-issue-can-be-negotiated-unless-you-fi_1330510.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e7/saul-alinsky-3048_clout_no-issue-can-be-negotiated-unless-you-fi_1330510.png) > “No issue can be negotiated unless you first have the clout to compel negotiation.” [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Power is a prerequisite for negotiation; without influence, discussions cannot be forced. **In simple terms:** You need power to force talks. Key Takeaway Build influence before seeking negotiation. Themes power negotiation influence strategy political tactics Mood critical strategic cautious Type political activist When to use this quote - activist campaigns - union bargaining - community organizing - legislative lobbying Key Concepts social movements political science conflict resolution Questions to Reflect On - How can underdogs gain clout? - When is forceful negotiation unethical? A Different Perspective Power dynamics can marginalize weaker parties. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clout/) [Compel Negotiation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compel-negotiation-4462452/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Issue Negotiated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/issue-negotiated-4462454/) [Issues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/issues/) [Negotiated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negotiated-619027/) [Negotiated Unless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negotiated-unless-4462453/) [Negotiation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negotiation/) ## Related quotes > [Every single line on the Oscar show is negotiated. Unless you've been there, you have no idea how it is put together. It's like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-vilanch/every-single-line-on-the-oscar-show-is-negotiated-unless-you-ve-been/) [Bruce Vilanch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-vilanch/) > [Our experience has taught us that with goodwill a negotiated solution can be found for even the most profound problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/our-experience-has-taught-us-that-with-goodwill-a-negotiated-solution/) [Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/) > [Relationships are negotiated and if you deal with ultimatums and authority all the time, then you're not going to get anywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/relationships-are-negotiated-and-if-you-deal-with-ultimatums-and/) [Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/) > [Business deals are successfully negotiated every day throughout America. The common thread is a mutual desire to reach an accord. And the media business…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-smith/business-deals-are-successfully-negotiated-every-day-throughout/) [Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-smith/) > [I negotiated the proper timing and other things having to do with one of our other debates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-negotiated-the-proper-timing-and-other-things-having-to-do-with-one/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [The terms of peace may be negotiated by political leaders, but the fate of peace is up to each of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-terms-of-peace-may-be-negotiated-by-political-leaders-but-the/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ I was against it \[Trans-Pacific Partnership\] once , it was finally negotiated and the terms were laid out. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-was-against-it-trans-pacific-partnership-once-it-was-finally/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [Peace may be negotiated by politicians, but it is something written in hearts and minds not on pieces of paper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmanuel-jal/peace-may-be-negotiated-by-politicians-but-it-is-something-written-in/) [Emmanuel Jal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmanuel-jal/) > [The more people are involved in a given task, the more potential agreements need to be negotiated to do anything, and the greater the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clay-shirky/the-more-people-are-involved-in-a-given-task-the-more-potential/) [Clay Shirky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clay-shirky/) > [There is no formula to relationships. They have to be negotiated in loving ways, with room for both parties, what they want and what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/there-is-no-formula-to-relationships-they-have-to-be-negotiated-in-2/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [Those who don't trust you before the explanation won't trust you even after the explanation.. Trust can't be negotiated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanda-kaushik/those-who-don-t-trust-you-before-the-explanation-won-t-trust-you-even/) [Chanda Kaushik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanda-kaushik/) > [ The facts are - I did say I hoped it \[Trans-Pacific Partnership\] would be a good deal, but when it was negotiated which I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/the-facts-are-i-did-say-i-hoped-it-trans-pacific-partnership-would-be/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [“This is preliminary. Things can be negotiated.” Daniel answered without giving me a real answer. Lawyers and their double talk. “Like”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lolah-lace/this-is-preliminary-things-can-be-negotiated-daniel-answered-without/) [Lolah Lace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lolah-lace/) > [Finally, my manager negotiated a deal where I got to produce my own records.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/waylon-jennings/finally-my-manager-negotiated-a-deal-where-i-got-to-produce-my-own/) [Waylon Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/waylon-jennings/) > [There is very, very little chance of bespoke transitional arrangements being negotiated at the same time as the rest of Article 50.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keir-starmer/there-is-very-very-little-chance-of-bespoke-transitional-arrangements/) [Keir Starmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keir-starmer/) ## More by Saul Alinsky > [The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/the-threat-is-usually-more-terrifying-than-the-thing-itself/) [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) > [The very first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/the-very-first-radical-known-to-man-who-rebelled-against-the/) [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) > [I've never joined any organization - not even the ones I've organized myself. I prize my own independence too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/i-ve-never-joined-any-organization-not-even-the-ones-i-ve-organized/) [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) > [Everybody owned stock in the Capone mob; in a way, he was a public benefactor. I remember one time when he arrived at his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/everybody-owned-stock-in-the-capone-mob-in-a-way-he-was-a-public/) [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) > [First rule of change is controversy. You can't get away from it for the simple reason all issues are controversial. Change means movement, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/first-rule-of-change-is-controversy-you-can-t-get-away-from-it-for/) [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) > [Radicals, on the other hand, want to advance from the jungle of laissez-faire capitalism to a world worthy of the name of human civilization.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/radicals-on-the-other-hand-want-to-advance-from-the-jungle-of-laissez/) [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) > [Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it. Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/pick-the-target-freeze-it-personalize-it-and-polarize-it-cut-off-the/) [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) > [The first step in community organization is community disorganization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/the-first-step-in-community-organization-is-community-disorganization/) [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) > [Power just goes to two poles — to those who've got money, and those who've got people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/power-just-goes-to-two-poles-to-those-who-ve-got-money-and-those-who/) [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) > [The establishment can accept being screwed, but not being laughed at](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/the-establishment-can-accept-being-screwed-but-not-being-laughed-at/) [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) > [To the organizer, compromise is a key and beautiful word. It is always present in the pragmatics of operation... If you start with nothing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/to-the-organizer-compromise-is-a-key-and-beautiful-word-it-is-always/) [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) > [Power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/power-is-not-only-what-you-have-but-what-the-enemy-thinks-you-have/) [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) > [The standards of judgment must be rooted in the whys and wherefores of life as it is lived, the world as it is, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/the-standards-of-judgment-must-be-rooted-in-the-whys-and-wherefores/) [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) > [Organized business has assumed that greater profits would be pretty much of a cure-all, and it has to a major extent ignored the fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/organized-business-has-assumed-that-greater-profits-would-be-pretty/) [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) > [One acts decisively only in the conviction that all the angels are on one side and all the devils on the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/one-acts-decisively-only-in-the-conviction-that-all-the-angels-are-on/) [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) [Explore all 141 Saul Alinsky quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) ## More Clout quotes > [The effect of prizes on one's career - if that is what to call it - is considerable, since they give one more clout…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-banville/the-effect-of-prizes-on-one-s-career-if-that-is-what-to-call-it-is/) [John Banville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-banville/) > [Choices with Clout" "If what we are thinking about doing is likely to produce good results, we can be reasonably sure we will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilbur-lucius-cross/choices-with-clout-if-what-we-are-thinking-about-doing-is-likely-to/) [Wilbur Lucius Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilbur-lucius-cross/) > [I'm never going to overestimate the clout of my job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-fender/i-m-never-going-to-overestimate-the-clout-of-my-job/) [Sam Fender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-fender/) > [I would like to flood South Africa with black personages of all sorts of persuasions: writers, educators, businessmen, you name it. If you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-ashe/i-would-like-to-flood-south-africa-with-black-personages-of-all-sorts/) [Arthur Ashe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-ashe/) > [I don't necessarily like the things footballers do. All these kissing the badge, just doing it for the clout.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/micah-richards/i-don-t-necessarily-like-the-things-footballers-do-all-these-kissing/) [Micah Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/micah-richards/) > [In the end, we may be hurting the very people we should be concerned about - the inner-city poor, those who already have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-thompson/in-the-end-we-may-be-hurting-the-very-people-we-should-be-concerned/) [Fred Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-thompson/) > [Ideas matter in New York. I am certain that more conversations in New York are about ideas than anywhere else. Not just vague theories,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-frost/ideas-matter-in-new-york-i-am-certain-that-more-conversations-in-new/) [David Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-frost/) > [President Eisenhower saw it coming, and it is here. Patriotism no longer exists among many of these corporations. Some companies have more economic clout…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/byron-dorgan/president-eisenhower-saw-it-coming-and-it-is-here-patriotism-no/) [Byron Dorgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/byron-dorgan/) > [“People hate to be proven wrong.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/de-philosopher-dj-kyos/people-hate-to-be-proven-wrong/) [De philosopher DJ Kyos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/de-philosopher-dj-kyos/) > [If you give me a typewriter and I'm having a good day, I can write a scene that will astonish its readers. That will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-moore/if-you-give-me-a-typewriter-and-i-m-having-a-good-day-i-can-write-a/) [Alan Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-moore/) > [Yes, things happened to me - brutal things - but I'm not going to give them so much clout by dwelling on them, empowering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-mohr/yes-things-happened-to-me-brutal-things-but-i-m-not-going-to-give/) [Joshua Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-mohr/) > [But the judge would have to be people in the fashion world and a bunch of random girls. Because guys in the league aren't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iman-shumpert/but-the-judge-would-have-to-be-people-in-the-fashion-world-and-a/) [Iman Shumpert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iman-shumpert/) > [I feel like clout is something that builds up on your teeth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mason/i-feel-like-clout-is-something-that-builds-up-on-your-teeth/) [Andrew Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mason/) > [ When \[Steven Lerner\] says that unions and so forth are "dead," he's talking about clout. He's talking about power. But "community organizations," the ACORN… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/when-steven-lerner-says-that-unions-and-so-forth-are-dead-he-s/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [I didn't do it because of the underlying greed that's prevailing, but it is about greed, doing the right thing at the right time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-devito/i-didn-t-do-it-because-of-the-underlying-greed-that-s-prevailing-but/) [Danny DeVito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-devito/) [Browse all 66 Clout quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clout/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "No issue can be negotiated unless you first have the clout to compel negotiation.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Saul Alinsky" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/no-issue-can-be-negotiated-unless-you-first-have-the-clout-to-compel/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Clout" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/no-issue-can-be-negotiated-unless-you-first-have-the-clout-to-compel/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e7/saul-alinsky-3048_clout_no-issue-can-be-negotiated-unless-you-fi_1330510.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e7/saul-alinsky-3048_clout_no-issue-can-be-negotiated-unless-you-fi_1330510.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e7/saul-alinsky-3048_clout_no-issue-can-be-negotiated-unless-you-fi_1330510.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“No issue can be negotiated unless you first have the clout to compel negotiation.” — Saul Alinsky", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Saul Alinsky", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "No issue can be negotiated unless...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/no-issue-can-be-negotiated-unless-you-first-have-the-clout-to-compel/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/no-issue-can-be-negotiated-unless-you-first-have-the-clout-to-compel/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```