This study used questionnaire data with multiple-item measures from older adults to examine the relationship between broad, psychological connections with others and social justice activism. We tested the viability of a model in which political efficacy was hypothesized to mediate the effects of connections with others (an aggregate of global social responsibility, psychological sense of global community, humanitarian values, and universal orientation) on activism (social and political). Data came from members of three retirement communities in Los Angles County (n = 213). Political efficacy significantly mediated the relationship between connection with others and activism (p < .05). The political efficacy variable was then split into two measures: internal efficacy and external efficacy. As a mediator, internal political efficacy increased the significance of the mediation (p < .001). Next, it was considered whether political orientation was an underlying factor influencing this relationship. A median split on a multi-item measure for political conservatism found that liberals scored higher on all of the connection variables (ps < .01), except humanitarian values; higher on the aggregate measure for activism and the scales for political and social activism (ps < .001); and both the political efficacy aggregate and internal political efficacy (ps < .05). Interestingly, internal political efficacy was not a mediator for liberals, but it did fully mediate the relationship for conservatives (p < .01). This suggests that for conservatives efficacious feelings encourage activism. For liberals, activism may be a way to express meaningful values regardless of whether they feel efficacious in these behaviors.