ABSTRACT
This chapter develops and examines a typology of modern meddlers. A typology of meddlers must proceed cautiously, for meddling needs to be differentiated from such necessary concepts as social control, benevolent altruism, and valuable activism. Friends also represent an ambiguous category of meddling. They are entitled to meddle by virtue of their close personal relationship with the meddlee, yet good friendship is defined in terms of knowing when to meddle and when to refrain. The social action/advocacy format has become a socially sanctioned way of demonstrating one's "concern" for others while at the same time allowing one to appropriate a license to meddle into the affairs of anyone who disagrees. Social-action meddlers also juggle and combine various ideologies in order to effect the optimum public response to their issues. Feminists who meddle in the name of political correctness may meddle "for the sake of the children" or in the name of health or any number of other popular meddling ideologies.
