How Civic Action Works: Fighting for Housing in Los Angeles (Princeton Studies in Cultural Sociology, 8)

Name: How Civic Action Works: Fighting for Housing in Los Angeles (Princeton Studies in Cultural Sociology, 8)
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Book Synopsis: The ways that social advocates organize to fight unaffordable housing and homelessness in Los Angeles, illuminated by a new conceptual framework for studying collective action

How Civic Action Works renews the tradition of inquiry into collective, social problem solving. Paul Lichterman follows grassroots activists, nonprofit organization staff, and community service volunteers in three coalitions and twelve organizations in Los Angeles as they campaign for affordable housing, develop new housing, or address homelessness. Lichterman shows that to understand how social advocates build their campaigns, craft claims, and choose goals, we need to move beyond well-established thinking about what is strategic.

Lichterman presents a pragmatist-inspired sociological framework that illuminates core tasks of social problem solving, both contentious and noncontentious, by grassroots and professional advocates alike. He reveals that advocates' distinct styles of collective action produce different understandings of what is strategic, and generate different dilemmas for advocates because each style accommodates varying social and institutional pressures. We see, too, how patterns of interaction create a cultural filter that welcomes some claims about housing problems while subordinating or delegitimating others. These cultural patterns help solve conceptual and practical puzzles, such as why coalitions fragment when members agree on many things, and what makes advocacy campaigns separate housing from homelessness or affordability from environmental sustainability. Lichterman concludes by turning this action-centered framework toward improving dialogue between social advocates and researchers.

Using extensive ethnography enriched by archival evidence, How Civic Action Works explains how advocates meet the relational and rhetorical challenges of collective action.

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Looking for a book that delves into the complexities of social problem solving? Look no further than "How Civic Action Works: Fighting for Housing in Los Angeles". This book, part of the renowned Princeton Studies in Cultural Sociology series, offers a unique and insightful exploration of how grassroots activists, nonprofit organization staff, and community service volunteers come together to fight unaffordable housing and homelessness in Los Angeles.

Author Paul Lichterman provides a groundbreaking sociological framework that sheds light on the core tasks of social problem solving. By following the campaigns and activities of three coalitions and twelve organizations in Los Angeles, Lichterman reveals the nuances of how social advocates build their campaigns, craft their claims, and choose their goals. You'll gain a deep understanding of the strategic thinking behind their actions.

What sets "How Civic Action Works" apart is its emphasis on the distinct styles of collective action employed by different advocates. This diversity of approaches leads to a range of understandings of what is strategic, as well as different challenges and dilemmas faced by each group. Through extensive ethnography and archival evidence, Lichterman uncovers the cultural patterns that shape advocates' thinking and decision-making processes.

But this book is not just for academics and researchers. It also offers valuable insights for social advocates looking to improve their own campaigns. By grasping the relational and rhetorical challenges of collective action, you can effectively frame your message, navigate societal pressures, and ultimately make a greater impact. "How Civic Action Works" bridges the gap between theory and practice.

If you're ready to deepen your understanding of collective action and learn from real-world examples, "How Civic Action Works: Fighting for Housing in Los Angeles" is a must-read. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insights and improve your own advocacy efforts. Grab your copy now by clicking here.

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