The infiltrators may either be open about their intentions or may act covertly.
Origin of “Entryism”
In his 1959 book Masters of Deceit, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover described entryist tactics by Soviet agents to infiltrate school boards, trade unions, and major party precinct organizations.
The concept has its roots in the Trotskyist movement of the 1930s.
Leon Trotsky advocated this strategy as a way for his followers to infiltrate larger, more moderate socialist organizations, aiming to steer them toward a more radical stance.
Entryism can be executed in various ways, ranging from simply joining the target organization to actively seeking positions of influence or leadership within it.
Entryists may work individually or in coordinated groups, and their tactics may vary in aggressiveness and openness.
While it originated within left-wing politics, entryism has been observed across the political spectrum.
It is not limited to political parties but can also target trade unions, professional associations, and other influential organizations.
The primary goal of entryism is to shift the target organization’s policies, values, or direction in line with the infiltrating group’s objectives.
This may involve changes to specific policies, leadership structures, or the overall ideological orientation of the organization.
Entryism has been observed in various political contexts.
In the UK, allegations of entryism have arisen in relation to the Labour Party, particularly during periods of ideological struggle within the party.
Similar dynamics have been observed in other countries and political contexts.
Use of “Entryism” in a sentence
LSE British Politics and Policy (2020): “Since 2015, Momentum has been widely accused of entryism: the infiltration of the party from a small but organised campaign group, with the aim of capturing control of the national party.”
Political Research Associates (June 20, 2019): “What they were talking about was a strategy often described as 'entryism,' whereby people outside the political mainstream enter existing political and social institutions with the intention of using them for their own purposes.”
Tech Times (August 3, 2026): “Researchers studying the movement specifically classified this tactic as entryism — a strategy drawn from Trotskyist political theory in which operatives join and work within existing political movements rather than building a separate organization, gradually transforming the host institution from within.”