How Change HappensHuman society is full of would-be 'change agents', a restless mix of campaigners, lobbyists, and officials, both individuals and organizations, set on transforming the world. They want to improve public services, reform laws and regulations, guarantee human rights, get a fairer deal for those on the sharp end, achieve greater recognition for any number of issues, or simply be treated with respect. Striking then, that not many universities have a Department of Change Studies, to which social activists can turn for advice and inspiration. Instead, scholarly discussions of change are fragmented with few conversations crossing disciplinary boundaries, rarely making it onto the radars of those actively seeking change. This book aims to bridge the gap between academia and practice, bringing together the best research from a range of academic disciplines and the evolving practical understanding of activists to explore the topic of social and political change. Drawing on many first-hand examples from the global experience of Oxfam, one of the world's largest social justice NGOs, as well as insights gleaned from studying and working on international development, it tests ideas and offers the latest thinking on what works to achieve progressive change |
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accountability action activism activists advocacy Africa analysis approach authority Bank become better build Cambridge campaign cent Change Happens Chapter citizens civil society climate communities companies complex corporate countries courts critical decisions Development discussed Duncan Green economic effective elections evolving example experience force funding global groups human ideas important individuals influence initiatives institutions interests Investment issues leaders leadership lives London look managed move movements NGOs norms officials organizations Oxfam Oxford parties political poor positive Poverty to Power Power blog practice Press problems programme progressive promote protest questions reform Report response role rules social South strategies success talking theory things thinking TNCs trade traditional turn understanding University Press violence women York